McHenry County-area mammograms offered by Centegra

Centegra Health System is sponsoring special Mammo Monday events in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women are encouraged to participate on their own or bring their mother, daughters, sisters and friends to a special, private setting to take control of their breast and bone health.

Screening mammograms, bone density screenings, free expert bra fittings and light snacks will be offered at each event. The events are scheduled as follows:

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at Centegra Health Center-Huntley on the corner of Algonquin and Haligus roads.

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, for Del Webb residents and guests. Call (847) 515-2078 to register for this event only.

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock on Doty Road.

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at the Crystal Lake Medical Arts building on Station Drive, behind Dominick's.

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at Centegra Hospital-McHenry on Medical Center Drive.

Appointments are required for each event. Call (815) 334-5566 to register for all but the Del Webb event.

"Starting at age 40, yearly mammograms are a must for women. An occasional mammogram doesn't provide enough protection against breast cancer," said Lynn Griesmaier, Centegra's certified Breast Health Navigator. "The reason is because quickly growing tumors might go undetected."

Women who have a mammogram in October will be presented with a pink bracelet and encouraged to pass it on to another woman they care about as a reminder to her that early detection saves lives.

In addition, during October, Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center is offering breast cancer education opportunities, including special fitness classes, clinical and nutrition lectures, special giveaways and social events. All proceeds will benefit Centegra Sage Cancer Center.

Also, earn an additional 15 percent off the enrollment fee to the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center in Crystal Lake or Huntley. That's 65 percent total, by participating in one of the breast cancer awareness activities or bringing in proof of a recent mammogram.

"Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in McHenry County, exceeded only by lung cancer," said Dr. Terrence Bugno, radiation oncologist with the Centegra Sage Cancer Center.

"The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 35 - about three percent. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment."

Centegra Health System and the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation partner year-round 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 in Centegra Sage Cancer Center in McHenry and offers touch-screen computers, a library inventory of books, journals and booklets. Information in the library is available in English and Spanish.

Centegra Hospital-McHenry is recognized as having one of a few cancer programs in the state to receive the Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

Additionally, all the Centegra Sage Cancer Center nurses are oncology certified. Patients needing additional follow-up may be referred to Centegra's conveniently located medical imaging departments for various state-of-the-art, diagnostic breast exams including ultrasounds, breast MRIs and PET/CTs.

For information, visit centegra.org or call (877) 236-8347.