During Breast Cancer Awareness month, Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd and its Baxter clinic are offering extended night hour appointments Oct. 6 and Oct. 12 to make it easier for women to take time to take care of themselves.
Mammography is one of the most important arsenals in the fight against breast cancer, a news release stated. A breast imaging tool, mammograms are used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women. It is considered the most effective breast cancer screening method because it can identify problems long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt.
Patients have the option of scheduling a 3D mammogram, which has been proven to detect 20%-65% more invasive breast cancers compared to 2D alone, an average increase of 41%.
Certified through the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, Essentia Health recommends annual mammography for women beginning at age 40 through age 75.
To make an appointment for your yearly screening mammogram, call the Essentia Health scheduling department at 218-828-7646. If you have not had a screening mammogram within the last year, an order from your medical provider is not required.
