Saint John’s Women’s Center, in cooperation with Madison County Imaging, PC, is offering discounted mammograms for $55, beginning Monday and running through Oct. 17. 

The discounted mammogram program includes screening with ImageChecker technology, which digitally analyzes mammograms, reviewing each image and marking any areas that warrant a second look by the radiologist. Appointments must be scheduled by Oct. 17, and mammograms must be completed by Oct. 31.

To receive the $55 mammogram, a coupon must be purchased between Monday and Oct. 17. The coupons may be purchased from two locations:

n Saint John’s Cashier’s office, in the main lobby of Saint John’s Medical Center, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

n Ambulatory Services Center Registration, 2020 Meridian St., Suite 150, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No insurance will be billed for patients receiving the $55 mammogram from the coupon purchase. The $55 discounted fee includes the hospital charge, radiologist charge, digital mammogram and ImageChecker technology.

The discounted mammograms are available for women age 35 or older, with no breast disease symptoms, no current or previous breast cancer and who have not had a mammogram within the last 12 months.  Mammograms must be physician referred. Follow-up exams that may be recommended as a result of this initial screening are not eligible for the $55 discounted rate. Insurance may be billed for the follow-up exams.

Women who do not qualify for discounted mammograms are encouraged to check with their insurance representative for their policy’s coverage of screening and diagnostic mammograms.

Saint John’s Health System provides free screening mammograms to uninsured women who meet income guidelines through the Marie’s Hope Program year-round. In addition to the financial guidelines, to qualify for a free screening mammogram, a woman must be age 35 or older, with no breast disease symptoms, no current or previous breast cancer and who have not had a mammogram within the last 12 months.

In concert with mammograms, education and prevention are key to early detection of a breast abnormality. Knowledge of risk factors, family history and the appropriate examination and screening schedule are critical to early detection. Risk factors include personal or family history of breast cancer, being over age 30 before having first child or never giving birth.

Women should be familiar with how their breasts look and feel. Breast self-exam is a very important factor in learning about the breasts, enabling women to detect abnormalities at an early stage. Remember that lumps are only one of the signs of breast cancer.

The following are also red flags to look for:

— Bloody discharge from the nipple

— Flaking or red, rough, skin around the nipple

— Dimpling of the breast skin