By Shannon Lukens.

 

Memorial Regional Health in Craig hosted a Lunch and Learn Friday, about Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention. 

Jennifer Riley is the CEO at Memorial Regional Health.

“This information is great for people to know because early detection saves lives. We see it in the data. We have personal experience with early prevention so getting the information out now can have lasting effects in our community, as the years go on, as the days go by.”

 

Dr. Betsy Brew is the breast cancer surgeon at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. MRH has a relationship with Valley View Hospital for oncology services.

Dr. Brew says mammograms and Breast Cancer Screening are very important, as one in eight women in the United States (12.3%) will have breast cancer sometime in their lifetime. She says early detection results in early treatment which is most effective when treating breast cancer.

Memorial Regional Health says mammograms can be scheduled with an order from a patient’s provider so that’s where to start. Appointments can be made by calling 970-826-2400.

MRH also reports that cost should not be a factor for most women who are eligible for screening mammograms.  The majority of insurances cover 100% of the cost of screening mammograms.  For women who are 40 or older and do not have insurance or are underinsured, funding is available through MRH’s Population Health department. This funding is provided through the Women’s Wellness Connection grant and it covers a clinic visit, a mammogram and follow-up breast exams if they are needed.  Please call the Population Health department at 970-826-8010 if you have questions or need assistance.