Mammogram program continues during November
Submitted by Centegra Health System
Women are encouraged to attend a Centegra Health System Mammo Monday event on their own or bring their mother, daughters, sisters and friends in a special, private setting to take control of their breast and bone health. Offerings include screening mammograms, bone density screenings, free expert bra fittings and light snacks.
Centegra Health System’s nationally recognized breast health program acknowledges breast cancer awareness month and recognizes the importance of early detection. Centegra continues to sponsor Mammo Monday events and its U+2 program throughout McHenry County during November.
Earning full accreditation from the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, Centegra’s breast program meets the most rigorous standards, demonstrating Centegra’s proactive commitment to providing the best possible care, treatment options and support to patients.
Upcoming Mammo Mondays will be offered from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations: Nov. 4 at Centegra Gavers Breast Center; Monday, Nov. 11 at Centegra Hospital-McHenry; Monday, Nov. 18 at Centegra Health Center-Huntley; and Monday, Nov. 25 at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock
Centegra’s new program, U+2, rewards women for taking care of their breast health and inspiring their friends to do the same.
To participate in the program, a woman visitscentegra.org/u2 to enter a screening mammogram appointment request. She sends two of her closest female friends or family members an encouraging reminder to do the same, right from the Web page. She then receives an email voucher to redeem for a free eye pillow after her own screening mammogram at a Centegra imaging location. Centegra will not use or share their friends’ email addresses that are entered as part of the U+2 program.
In addition to the state-of-the-art imaging technology already provided, Centegra Gavers Breast Center — Crystal Lake now offers tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D breast imaging. Ideal for women with dense breasts, this new technology captures multiple images (slices) of the breast at different angles, providing 3-D reconstruction. The enriched view helps health care providers see if anything of concern is hiding behind overlapping tissue, providing women a greater peace of mind. The new technology was made possible by a generous gift from the Centegra Hospital-Woodstock Auxiliary, McHenry Country Club Ladies Association, Richmond Spring Grove Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network and many more to the Centegra Health System Foundation.
Centegra offers four convenient, high-tech imaging suites in Crystal Lake, Huntley, McHenry or Woodstock. The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women 40 and older to maintain breast health and as a proven way to detect breast cancer in its earliest stage.
Quick 30-minute appointments are easy to schedule and are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome at Centegra Health Center — Huntley and Centegra Gavers Breast Center — Crystal Lake. Physician orders are needed for a mammogram screening and a bone density exam. Patients should bring a physician order to the appointment. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 334-5566 or visit centegra.org/mammo for more details. Financial assistance is also available.
Centegra Health System and the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation partner all year to raise awareness of the importance of early cancer detection. The Get Checked! program provides information on lifestyle changes and guidelines for routine screenings that can make a big difference in one’s life. The Gavers Cancer Resource Library is also featured at Centegra Sage Cancer Center in McHenry and offers touch-screen computers and a library inventory of books, journals and booklets. Information in the library is available in English and Spanish.