November 2009

Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital recommends women continue to schedule mammograms according to American Cancer Society Guidelines

“The best defense in the fight against breast cancer is early detection, and the Medical Imaging Department at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital will continue to encourage women to have a yearly mammogram starting at age 40 as listed by the long-standing recommendations of the American Cancer Society,” states Tim Clark, RDCS RVT, Medical Imaging Director at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital. “ We do not agree with the guidelines just released from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force stating a woman should wait until age 50 to get routine mammograms and that there is no need for women to perform self-exams.”

The American Cancer Society guidelines are:

• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
• Clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
• Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.

Tim Clark adds, “Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital continues our commitment to the health and well-being of area communities. We offer state-of-the-art digital mammography and ultrasound technology to provide incredibly sharp images; no other facility in our area has this advanced technology. We urge area residents to talk to their family physician regarding their own breast health. If individuals have questions or concerns they are welcome to call Medical Imaging at Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital at 608-357-2000.”