5
CHECK THIS OUT!
To schedule your next
mammogram at Saint
Agnes Breast Center,
call 559-450-5656.
You go, girl!
We mean it – literally. If you’re 40 years of age or older and haven’t
already had your annual mammogram, join us for:
Ladies Night at the Saint Agnes Breast Center
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 4 to 7:30 p.m.
Saint Agnes Breast Center
7202 N. Millbrook Ave., Suite 206
We know your life is hectic. That’s why we’re staying open after hours.
If that’s not incentive enough, come enjoy hors d’oeuvres, pampering
by Beauty 360 and special drawings.
To schedule your appointment, call 559-450-5656. Space is
limited, so call soon. A physician referral is required.
Some excuses hold up. Alarm clocks
occasionally fail, and tires sometimes
go flat.
But when it comes to taking care of
your breast health, no excuse will do.
That’s especially true when the ex-
cuse is based on misinformation. Here
are four reasons women often give for
not getting mammograms – along with
the facts.
1
“I DON’T HAVE TIME.”
The truth
is, a mammogram takes only about
20 minutes. You can usually make an
appointment for a time that is conve-
nient for you. If after hours works best,
plan to attend Ladies Night at the Saint
Agnes Breast Center (details below).
2
“IT WILL HURT TOO MUCH.”
There may be some discomfort,
since your breasts need to be flattened
slightly to get the best x-ray picture¦–
but that’s only for a few seconds. If
you’re still menstruating, time your
mammogram for right after your period,
when your breasts are likely to be less
tender. Also, the technician can make
adjustments if it truly hurts too much.
3
“I DON’T HAVE ANY
SYMPTOMS OR A FAMILY
HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER.”
Not having these risks may lower your
chances for getting breast cancer, but
they don’t rule it out. Most women
who get breast cancer do not have a
family history of the disease. And early
breast tumors – which mammograms
can detect – may be too small to feel
and may cause no symptoms.
4
“IT COSTS TOO MUCH.”
Most
insurance plans cover mammo-
grams. So do Medicare and Medi-
Cal. If you don’t have insurance,
call the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detec-
tion Program at 800-CDC-
INFO (800-232-4636) and
ask about a free or low-cost
mammogram.
CHOOSING A BREAST CENTER
Just as important as knowing the facts
about mammography is finding a
high-quality breast imaging center. The
Breast Centers at Saint Agnes Medical
Center have the distinction of being
accredited by the American College
of Radiology (ACR) in mammography,
stereotactic biopsy procedures and
breast ultrasound biopsy. And earlier
this year, our Diagnostic Breast Center
was named a Breast Imaging Center of
Excellence by the ACR. This designa-
tion is a way for patients to find the
best breast imaging centers available.
Mammograms – no more excuses
Because regular
screening with
mammograms saves lives,
the American Cancer
Society and other experts
recommend that women
have yearly mammograms
starting at age 40.
BREAST
CANCER
5
Fall 2011