Fort HealthCare Invites Breast Cancer Survivors to Celebration Luncheon
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Fort HealthCare Healing Breast Care Center invites survivors from its program to join together for a complimentary light luncheon and model chocolate demonstration by southern chef, Tisha Morgan, on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 beginning at 11:15 a.m. at Fort Memorial Hospital, located at 611 Sherman Avenue East in Fort Atkinson. The care center team is requesting RSVPs to the event by calling Amy at Fort HealthCare at (920) 568-5299.
The Fort HealthCare Healing Breast Care Center provides education, research, and treatment for patients with diseases of the breast with a special emphasis on breast cancer. Fort HealthCare Radiology provides convenient access to early, state-of-the-art detection screenings and follow-up programs. If a patient needs a more specific diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound they receive immediate results from a radiologist that specializes in mammography.
Mammograms can be scheduled at convenient times by calling (920) 568-5420. Visit FortHealthCare.com/Mammo to learn more or make an online request for a mammogram appointment.
The importance of getting a mammogram
According to the American Cancer Society, women in the United States have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their lives. Although this statistic may sound scary, having a regular mammogram can help your doctor detect breast cancer in its earliest stages — when it is most treatable, and survival rates are the highest. Here are three reasons to schedule your mammogram today:
Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer.
A mammogram is the best way to screen for breast cancer. That’s because a mammogram involves taking an X-ray picture of your breast which can show abnormal areas or changes in your breast tissue. Breast self-exams or exams by a healthcare provider, which involve looking at and feeling your breasts to check for symptoms of breast cancer, are no longer a recommended screening tool. However, regular breast self-exams may help you to become familiar with how your breasts typically look and feel so you can spot potential problems more quickly. Also, be sure to speak with your primary healthcare provider about when and how often you should be screened.
New imaging technology can identify breast cancer in its earliest stages.
Traditional two-dimensional mammograms take pictures of your breasts from two different angles – top-to-bottom and side-to-side. Here at Fort HealthCare, we use the best available imaging technology in our Radiology Department, including Genius™ 3D MAMMOGRAM™ technology – the only technology proven to detect breast cancer 15 months earlier. And if you should need more comprehensive care beyond your screening, we’re here to take care of you.
Three-dimensional mammograms (also called breast tomosynthesis or 3D mammograms), use the latest imaging technology to take several X-ray pictures from different angles and create a 3D image. 3D images are clearer and more detailed than traditional 2D images, which makes it easier for your doctor to identify early signs of breast cancer. 3D mammography also has been shown to reduce the number of “false positive” and unclear mammogram results.
Free or low-cost mammograms are available.
Mammograms are covered by most types of medical insurance. But even if you don’t have insurance coverage, there is financial assistance available to help. The Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) offers preventative health screening services for under-insured or uninsured women who meet specific age and income guidelines. For more information on WWWP, contact the Jefferson County Health Department at (920) 674-7193.
If you do not meet the qualifications for WWWP, the Fort HealthCare Memorial Foundation also offers vouchers for free mammograms. For more information about Fort HealthCare Mammogram Vouchers, please speak with a Fort HealthCare Primary Care clinic or the Rock River Free Clinic in Jefferson, Wis.
By taking advantage of new imaging technology and the availability of free or low-cost mammograms, you can improve your chances of survival if you are diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s not worth it to wait too long to get a screening done.
Fort Memorial Hospital is a Pink Ribbon facility, recognized as providing excellence in breast health care paired with exceptional commitment and support to the women of our communities, participating in most insurance plans, including Dean Care, Dean Care Gold, Unity, Physicians Plus, MercyCare, Humana, United Healthcare, and more. For a complete listing, visit FortHealthCare.com/Insurance.
Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life, while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long term basis. For more information, visit FortHealthCare.com.