In honor of Mother's Day, Community Hospital Anderson will sell discounted mammograms to promote early detection and prevention of breast cancer.

The $55 gift certificates may be purchased throughout the month of May, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the cashier’s window in the lower level of the 1601 Building. Mammograms must be scheduled by Friday, Nov. 28, with a physician referral.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death. One out of eight women will develop breast cancer at some time in her life.

“Mammograms are the most valuable diagnostic tool for early detection because this test can find cancers too small to be felt,” says Valarie Godfrey, R.T., (R)(M), Community Anderson's mammography supervisor.

The American Cancer Society recommends a mammogram for all women over the age of 40, even those without symptoms or history of breast disease. Those eligible for the discounted mammograms include women over the age of 35 who have not had a mammogram in the last twelve months. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who have had breast implants, known breast cancer, or who currently have breast disease symptoms are not eligible to have a screening mammogram through this program.

Women not meeting program guidelines are encouraged to check with their insurance representatives on their policies regarding coverage of screening and diagnostic mammograms. The purchase of a $55 mammogram as part of Mammograms for Mother's Day is not reimbursable by insurance.

Community Anderson’s Women’s Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) to offer mammography services. The Women's Center has dedicated mammography equipment, used only for mammography, and technologists and radiologists who are specially trained in mammography. The $55 special cost includes reading of the mammogram by board-certified radiologists, and also includes the ImageChecker (CAD) fee, over $200 in savings. Results of the screenings will be sent to each woman as well as her physician.

For more information about purchasing the $55 gift certificates, call Community Anderson’s Women's Center at (765) 298-5386.