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Experts tout self-exams, mammograms

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By Kelly Mori, Staff Writer Updated 3:22 AM Sunday, October 4, 2009

The average annual death rate from breast cancer in Clark and Champaign counties is lower than that of Ohio and the nation, according to American Cancer Society data.

Both counties also have a fairly high early detection rate, with Champaign County ranking higher than the state and Clark County ranking slightly below Ohio’s average.

During October, the medical community tries to help women see the correlation between early detection and survival, specifically in the form of self examinations and mammograms.

The former should be a monthly, lifelong regimen, said Betty Pester, mammography coordinator at the breast imaging department of Springfield Regional Imaging Center. The second should begin in a woman’s mid-to-late 30s.

“That first mammogram is very important,” Pester said. That image, captured while the woman is young and healthy, provides a baseline from which every subsequent screening is compared.

“Every woman’s body is different. What might be normal for me might not be normal for someone else,” Pester said.

As a woman ages her body changes. With the baseline image on file, medical professionals will be able to more quickly identify any abnormalities should they occur.

Digital mammography, available at both Springfield Regional and Crystal Clear Imaging on Emmanuel Way, provides clearer images than film and provide those images in a more efficient way.

They do not, however, eliminate the discomfort of a mammography, she said. Compression continues to be the best way to get a thorough image of the tissue.

The results are worth it. Modern mammography can reveal small breast cancers up to two years before they can be felt.

Mercy Memorial Hospital will offer free mammograms in October for low-income women age 40 and older.

The program, in cooperation with the local Breast Cancer Endowment Fund, will be offered at the Urbana hospital, 904 Scioto St., by appointment only.

Champaign County women 40 years old or older with no insurance and an income less than twice the poverty level (up to $44,100 for a family of four) can check a screening by calling (937) 484-6156.

Women in both Champaign County and the Miami Valley who meet the income criteria could be eligible to receive free breast cancer exams, and mammograms and other clinical services through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Project. For more information, call, (937) 227-9444 or (866) 838-8973.

The BCCP is a state-funded program covering low-income women in Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties.