CLEARLAKE >> Roses are nice, chocolates are lovely and jewelry is always a favorite. But this Valentine’s Day, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s Medical Imaging service encourages using February 14 to remind the women you care for to get a mammogram.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and by detecting and treating breast cancer early women can increase their likelihood of celebrating many more Valentine’s Days to come.
“You have a better chance of beating breast cancer when it is found and treated early, while it’s small and hasn’t spread,” said Amber Thompson, director of the hospital’s Medical Imaging department. “The best way to detect breast cancer early is to be screened regularly.”
Screening isn’t possible for many kinds of cancer, but it is with breast cancer.
“Research shows that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found early, less likely to need aggressive treatment such as a mastectomy or chemotherapy, and more likely to be cured,” said Thompson.
St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s 3D Mammography service has increased detection capability for Lake County residents. Studies show that 3D mammography results in a 29% increase in detection of all breast cancers and a 41% increase in detection of invasive breast cancers. Valentine’s Day is a great time to show the women in your life how much you care by encouraging your wife, mother, daughter, sister or friend to get a mammogram.
The American Cancer Society recommends that starting at age 40 women at average risk should have the choice to begin yearly mammograms. Women should begin yearly mammograms at age 45, and they can switch to every two years at age 55. Thompson recommends patients discuss their risks factors and appropriate screenings with their healthcare provider.
St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s new 3D Mammography service began offering the latest technology to Lake County women in June 2016. The 3D Mammography exams are covered and paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. The service and bone density (DXA) scanning are offered at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s Medical Imaging location at 15322 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Appointments for 3D mammography screenings are available by calling 707-995-5638.
