Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville, Ill., recognizes the importance of mammograms and breast self-awareness and wants to remind the public about the patient navigation services through its START NOW Mammography & Breast Cancer Awareness Program, as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October and quickly approaching.
The START NOW program is a continuous care program that offers education and support to men and women over the age of 40 with screening mammograms, as well as patient navigation services for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Mammograms are the most important tool healthcare providers have not only to screen for breast cancer, but also to diagnose, evaluate, and follow people who’ve had breast cancer,” says Scott Wampler, Senior Director of Imaging at Touchette Regional Hospital.
Screening mammograms usually involve two or more x-ray pictures, or images, of each breast that can be used to check for breast cancer in individuals who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. The x-ray images often make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt or can find microcalcifications (tiny deposits of calcium) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer.
Any time you notice a change – whether it be in the form of skin discoloration, unusual skin texture, bump or lump, you should address it with your healthcare provider. This diligence can certainly help in preventing a serious issue before it turns into a health emergency.
At Touchette Regional Hospital, we are proud to provide the START NOW Mammography & Breast Cancer Awareness Program. This community-based program focuses on providing breast cancer education and patient navigation services. You can learn more about the program by calling 618.332.6130 or visiting https://touchette.org/programs/start-now.
If you already have an order for a mammogram, schedule it at Touchette by calling our radiology department at 618-332-5463.
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About Touchette Regional Hospital
Touchette Regional Hospital has proudly served the communities of the metro-east for more than 60 years. We offer 24-hour Emergency Department, Laboratory, Radiology, Medical Specialty Services, Transportation, Sleep Center, Physical Therapy, Senior Care Services, Start Now Breast Cancer Awareness Program, Special Needs Dentistry for children, and Behavioral Health (inpatient and outpatient). For more information, visit touchette.org.