October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the staff at IU Health Starke Hospital is ready to assist those women 40 years of age and older in getting a mammogram.
Early detection is key, according to Josephine Klicek, director of imaging at the hospital. If you are underinsured or uninsured, you may be able to have that mammogram at no cost.
“Our ladies auxiliary at IU Health Starke Hospital has graciously given us a donation to provide some additional vouchers,” explained Klicek. “A voucher is for those who are uninsured or uninsured that meet income guidelines that maybe couldn’t have their mammogram. The great part about having that at Starke is that not only can we provide a free mammogram for you, which includes the radiologist’s fee, but also at Starke Hospital you do not need a doctor’s order to get your screening mammogram.”
Klicek says 40 is the age in which to get a mammogram screening, but other circumstances may warrant an earlier screening.
“Forty was the age that they thought was the median for a baseline. Of course, there’s always other factors that you should look at. If you have a strong family history, if you’ve had some issues in the past – those are some of the things that you can discuss with your doctor to see if maybe it’s appropriate for you to have your screening mammogram just a little bit earlier.”
To schedule your screening, call (574) 772-1177.
