PCH Cancer Center offers accredited mammography

The Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center Mammography Department offers digital mammography accredited by the American College of Radiology.

The mammography department is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., as well as Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Lead mammographer Cindy Mason explained the department offers screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds and breast biopsies when warranted.

The combined experience of both mammography technologists is more than 50 years, with both technologists registered in mammography by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Mason said one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes with only 5-10 percent of all breast cancers due to heredity, meaning most breast cancer patients have no family history.

Approximately 80 percent of all breast cancers occur in women of 50 years of age and older. One in every eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, with women over the age of 65 having a one-in-six chance of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women aged 40-59. Having a baseline mammogram at the age of 35 and yearly after 40 will help detect most breast cancer, even if it has just started and is very small.

Having a yearly mammogram can save your life. Doing a self-exams and having yearly mammograms can reduce the risk of not finding a tumor at an early stage.

Breast cancer is 90 percent curable when caught early.

"We at the Putnam County Hospital Mammography Department work with the Oncology Department in making sure patients that need a biopsy which is positive are navigated through the system with ease, making sure they receive a care kit from the American Cancer Society which can help them for example if they need transportation to their appointments, and a variety of other needs," Mason said.

"We want them to know they are not alone that they can call any one of us with any situation which may arise and we will do our best to help in any way we can."

Putnam County Hospital offers a low-cost mammogram through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program through the state of Indiana. These patients do not have insurance and must meet a certain income and age requirement. PCH also has a program through the hospital called Attack for the Cure. To be qualified, one must be a Putnam County resident, female, between the ages 20-50 and have no health insurance or insurance doesn't cover mammogram.

PCH takes appointments for self-referred screening mammograms for patients with no breast complaints or history of breast cancer as long as patient has primary physician. Patients with breast complaints or history of breast cancer will need a physician order.

Patients can call to schedule their mammogram appointments at 658-2760.