Erlanger Health System kicks off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a campaign that encourages women to celebrate their “Mammoversary.” The goal of the campaign is to remind women the best detection for breast cancer in women age 40 or older is to have an annual mammogram.
“Studies show fewer women are getting their annual mammogram,” said Janet Kramer-Mai, Erlanger’s Oncology Support Services director. “Early detections still remains the best protection from breast cancer. What a better way to remember than to have a mammoversary.”
Mammoversary is a new way to remember to schedule and have your annual mammogram screening.
“It is the one day out of the year when women can take that extra step to protect their health and then celebrate by pampering themselves with a fun activity afterwards,” said Ms.
Kramer-Mai. “They may want to do a little retail therapy, have a manicure/pedicure, a massage or whatever it takes to honor your day and not put the screening off for another year.”
Erlanger will help kick off each mammoversary with a free make up kit after each mammogram. Mammography screening is available at any of Erlanger’s four imaging centers. For those who qualify, the Center for Breast Health at Erlanger East Hospital also features 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography, a new technology providing higher detection rates. This new technology allows radiologists to see the breast tissue from many different angles and between layers of breast tissue. It may be used for a screening tool in conjunction with a traditional digital mammogram, or it may be used by itself for a diagnostic mammogram.
Digital mammography is similar to conventional mammography in that x-rays are used to produce in-depth images of the breast, yet digital mammography takes an electronic image of the breast and stores it directly in a computer, allowing the recorded data to be enhanced, magnified, or manipulated for further evaluation. Enhancing the image provides faster results and greatly reduces the need for retakes due to the image being over or under exposed. The high-resolution of digital images allows radiologists to see more details and detect abnormalities by manipulating brightness, magnification, orientation and contrast.
“With digital mammography, images are immediately displayed on the computer screen, shortening compression time and discomfort,” said Ms. Kramer-Mai.
As the region’s leading academic health system, Erlanger reviews the latest medical research to help patients decide if they need breast cancer screening. Review our guidelines for screening and get answers to common mammography questions.
For more information on how to schedule a mammogram, call 778-MAMO (6266).