Women in the Wood River Valley have some of the best options in the Northwest for breast cancer screening and support.
St. Luke’s Wood River Women’s Imaging Center in Ketchum offers state-of-the-art, 3-D digital mammography at no extra cost compared to standard digital mammography, thanks to the generous support of community members to St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation. Screening with 3-D makes it possible to better detect abnormalities in breast tissue and better visualize the true shape, size and location of an abnormality. This results in fewer diagnostic ultrasounds and biopsies, resulting in less anxiety, discomfort, and added costs for patients.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. More than 280,000 women and 2,500 men are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2021. But the good news is that death rates from breast cancer have been dropping since about 1989, due to finding it earlier through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatments. Today, there are more than 3.8 million breast-cancer survivors in the U.S. alone.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends screening mammography because it’s the best way to catch breast cancer early, at its most treatable stage. Their recommendations include:
- Annual mammogram beginning at age 45.
- You and your healthcare provider may decide that you should switch to mammograms every two years, beginning at age 55.
- Continue screening using your healthcare provider’s frequency recommendations as long as you’re in good health.
- If you have a family history of breast cancer, talk with your healthcare provider about when to begin screening. You may decide to begin before age 45.
Breast Cancer Resources
Call the Women’s Imaging Center in Ketchum to schedule your mammogram, or for information: (208) 727-8238 or toll-free 1-866-381-2055.
Breast Cancer Support and Networking Group connects those diagnosed with breast cancer to share information, experiences, and strength. Call (208) 727-8733.
Financial assistance is available to help pay for mammography. Call (208) 381-2095.
Join Dr. Charles Smith, radiation oncologist with St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI), for a breast cancer seminar October 27 at 6 p.m., at St. Luke’s Magic Valley in Twin Falls. RSVP at (208) 814-0094.
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