MIDDLEBURY — Since 1990, Porter Hospital has been providing free screening mammograms to area women who do not qualify for the “Ladies First” program or who have high-deductible insurance plans.
Thanks to a recent grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and in concert with the Ladies First program and the Open Door Clinic, Porter has secured additional resources to offer even more free mammograms to women during the month of January.
“We will be reserving several slots for this program in January and getting the word out by the local media to ensure that women know about this opportunity,” said Porter Medical Center spokesperson Ron Hallman.
“Screening mammograms remain one of the standard and highly effective screening tools for early detection of breast cancer,” said Dr. Steve Koller, a radiologist at Porter Hospital. “According to the American College of Radiology, women are encouraged to have a screening mammogram annually beginning at age 40,” he added.
Porter recently introduced a new 3D mammography unit, which is the latest state-of-the-art technology available.
“Additionally, our new 3D unit allows us to see masses and distortions associated with cancers significantly more clearly,” Koller said. “This new technology also detects 41 percent more breast cancers and reduces false positives by 40 percent.”
For more information about this program, contact the Porter Hospital Radiology Department at 388-4757.