Saint Anthony’s Health Center has been awarded a renewed three-year term of accreditation in Mammography as a result of a recent survey by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
The ACR, headquartered in Virginia, awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of its practices. Evaluations are conducted by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. They assess the qualifications of the personnel and adequacy of facility equipment, as well as quality assessment and improvement activities, including peer review. The surveyors report their findings to the ACR’s Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the facility with a comprehensive report.
Mammography screenings are offered weekdays through Saint Anthony’s Breast Health Services, with locations at Saint Anthony’s Medical Mall at 4325 Alby and on the campus of Saint Anthony’s Hospital. As a certified Softer Mammogram Provider, mammograms are offered using the MammoPad – a soft foam cushion that eases the discomfort many women experience during the screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms 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 at increased risk (for example, family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (for example, breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams.
To schedule a mammogram, call the Breast Health Center at 618/474-6152.