Mosaic promoting breast health with 'Mammothon' event

Apr. 16—Mosaic Life Care is extending its hours for breast screenings this week across three branches in Northwest Missouri for a special two-day "Mammothon."

In St. Joseph, Maryville and Albany on April 19 and 20, Mosaic Life Care centers are promoting breast health and screenings by offering longer hours for those who can't fit regular appointment times into their schedules.

Health care workers will be using tomosynthesis (3D) mammography, one of the most advanced breast cancer technologies available today that has been FDA-approved.

The goal of screening mammography is to detect cancer when it is still too small to be felt by the physician or patient.

"Mammograms save lives, and early detection saves lives," said Stephanie Wegenka, a breast health nurse navigator at Mosaic Life Care. "The sooner and smaller that we can find a breast cancer, the better the outcome is for the patient."

A mammography exam is the most accurate diagnostic technique available for early detection of breast diseases, but many women don't catch them in their early stages due to not getting exams regularly.

Mosaic is offering the screenings past business hours for this reason. In St. Joseph, the screenings will be available from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, April 19, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.

"It's a really good way to help those ladies that either have a hard time with transportation or they're just overdue on their mammogram," Wegenka said. "Many women miss out on their routine screening because they're not able to make appointments during regular business hours, and while they plan to schedule one, it gets put in the back of their mind and next thing you know, a couple of years have gone by."

While there is no cut-off age for breast screenings, it is recommended that women 40 and above have it done once a year.

Breast screenings will be at Mosaic's mammography facility at 802 N. Riverside Road, where patients will enter through the Plaza 1 entrance.

The complete screening appointment will take less than 30 minutes and include a breast health education discussion with a nurse. Insurance and an appointment are required, but patients can apply for financial assistance if needed.

For additional information on the two-day "Mammothon" this weekend, patients can visit www.mymlc.com.

Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com.