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Posted: October 24th, 2022
Get a Mammogram!
Throughout October, our nation’s focus turned to Breast Cancer Awareness as news outlets featured the stories of breast cancer survivors and encouraged women to get a mammogram. Walks, community seminars, and screening events helped to spread the word about the importance of early detection and treatment. At Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, we joined in this push to help women of all ages understand the importance of getting screened for breast cancer. Yet here closer to home, we also know that many women are not heeding this advice. Louisiana has the 3rd highest rate of breast cancer deaths in the country, and we want to help turn those statistics around.
“All women can come to NRMC’s Breast Center for a 3D mammography screening without a physician referral. All they need to do is call and make an appointment,” explained Dr. Phyllis Mason, Chief Medical Officer at NRMC. “We recommend women be screened every one to two years, depending on their age. Most importantly, we want all women, even young women, to understand that if they detect any changes in their breast, they need to see their physician. Don’t wait,” explained Dr. Phyllis Mason.
NRMC’s Breast Center has a highly trained and experienced radiology team, and the Center is equipped with the latest in 3D mammography. In minutes, they can take precise images of breast tissue which the radiologist reviews to see if there is any sign of a breast cancer forming. When cells in the breast tissue begin to grow abnormally, they generally begin as a tiny tumor. Left alone, this tiny tumor will grow and eventually spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Dr. Mason notes, “Let’s find these cancers as early as we possibly can while they are highly treatable. We created this Breast Center because we want to help women and save lives. We tell women, getting a mammogram is as easy as 1,2, 3…Call, Schedule, Get Screened!”
To schedule a mammogram at NRMC’s Breast Center, please call 318.214.4265.