Dreamstime
October is not only a month for tricks and treats but also for awareness. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds women to take care of one’s health by conducting self-checks and getting annual mammogram screenings.
“Most women who develop breast cancer have no risk factors except for female gender and increasing age,” says Dr. Jennifer Boals, Memphis Radiological PC radiologist and breast imaging specialist at the Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center at Methodist Hospital.
Planned Parenthood, which also offers screenings and mammograms in addition to other women’s health services, advises women visiting their facilities to not put off breast cancer screenings. About 230,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Early detection is a key factor in the treatment of breast cancer when it is discovered.
“Each October, we are reminded of the importance of early detection,” says Boals. “If you are a woman age 40 or older, the American College of Radiology recommends that you have an annual mammogram. Screening mammography truly saves lives.”
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, funds for cancer research are raised to fight the disease through many events and 5K runs. The Memphis-area medical community provides all sorts of outreach to serve the needs of women in the Mid-South.
Methodist Hospital
“Screening Saturdays”
The Margaret West Comprehensive Breast Center will be hosting two “Screening Saturdays” in October: Saturday, October 1, and Saturday, October 15, at their Screening Breast Center location at 1381 S. Germantown Road. Appointments will be available between 7:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on each Saturday. To schedule your screening mammography appointment for one of their Screening Saturday events, call 901-516-4300.
Methodist Healthcare Mobile Mammography Unit
The Methodist Healthcare Mobile Mammography Unit will be out in the community throughout the month of October offering mobile screening mammography appointments. The unit will be at A Fitting Place in Regalia Shopping Center (6150 Poplar Avenue) on Saturday, October 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Susan G. Komen Memphis-MidSouth Race for the Cure on Saturday, October 29. For a complete listing of mobile mammography sites throughout the month of October, visit methodisthealth.org/wellness.
St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital Breast Center, with its individualized service, offers digital mammography to capture and manipulate images at its Memphis and Bartlett locations for early detection. You can schedule an appointment online at saintfrancishosp.com.
Baptist Women’s Health Center
In addition to regular business hours, the center is open extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for screening mammograms.
Baptist Mobile Mammography Unit
At Baptist’s health center on wheels, women can schedule appointments in advance and get their annual mammograms on their lunch breaks. All that is needed is insurance information and identification. Visit baptistonline.org for upcoming dates and locations.