by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
Central Florida Health Care has announced it will be providing in-house mammograms at their Lake Wales and Davenport health centers. With October widely recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this new development is perfectly timed to give patients access to critical breast cancer screening tools.
“Mammograms are the best tool we have to detect early breast cancer,” explains Jennifer Sapp, a Women’s Health APRN at Central Florida Health Care’s Wauchula Health Center. “Detecting early cancer is the best way to manage, treat, and survive breast cancer.”
A mammogram is imaging of the breast with X-rays to screen for breast cancer or for other diagnostic purposes. The process uses a specialized machine called a mammography machine that uses X-rays to image the breast tissue. A mammogram may be performed if a patient presents symptoms that may signal cancer, such as changes in texture or appearance, which can be found during a regular self-exam.
Regular mammograms are recommended for women older than 40. Patients with a history of breast abnormalities will also need regular screening. In rare cases, men may also receive a mammogram if they present potential symptoms.
“During a mammogram, breast tissue is squeezed in different directions, and the tissue is imaged throughout,” Sapp explains. “We’ll take various different views and angles, and then a radiologist evaluates the images.”
Central Florida Health Care now has new, advanced mammography machines thanks to a county grant that will help make the process more comfortable for patients.
“We’re excited to be able to provide mammograms in-house,” Sapp says. “It gets clear images and compresses the breast evenly along its natural curves to make it as comfortable as possible for the patient.”
With this new equipment for mammograms at the Lake Wales and Davenport locations, Central Florida Health Care is able to expand care to those most in need.
“This is really exciting for us because we have a large population of uninsured and underinsured patients, and this gives them a resource to get low-cost mammograms. That means we can screen more women and detect more early breast cancer,” Sapp explains.
Sapp offered some advice for anyone new to mammograms.
“On the day of, we encourage you to avoid deodorants or powders so we can get a clean view during the mammogram. Usually the mammogram is done standing if you’re able to stand up, and the image will tilt to accommodate the image they need,” she says. “Additionally, mammograms are safe for those with breast implants. Many are concerned that the mammogram will compress it and cause damage, but it’s completely safe.”
For those whose mammograms have signs of potential cancer, Central Florida Health Care will be there to help them through the next steps.
“The next steps will be getting more images, doing a diagnostic mammogram, and an ultrasound in one or both breasts to get a better look,” Sapp explains. “If there’s still a concern, there’s potential for a biopsy to take samples from the tissues.”
With in-house mammograms, patients will now have fewer barriers to crucial preventive care, making it easier for patients to detect cancer early and get lifesaving treatment.
Sapp closed by underscoring the most important thing to remember.
“Mammogram screening is the biggest key to early detection.”