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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Many of the most frequently asked questions to Vidant Health officials regard breast health and mammograms.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY?

Today’s high-quality 3-D digital screening mammogram is the best tool available to detect breast cancer before lumps can be felt or symptoms appear. Finding breast cancer early helps give a woman more choices. It also increases her chances of having the best possible outcome.

IS THERE A RISK OF RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM HAVING REGULAR MAMMOGRAMS?

You may want to ask your healthcare provider about the amount of radiation used during the procedure. Ask about the risks related to your particular case. Special care is taken to make sure that the lowest possible amount of radiation is used when you have a mammogram.

WHAT SHOULD A WOMAN EXPECT WHEN HAVING A MAMMOGRAM?

Don’t use deodorant, powder, or lotions on the day of your mammogram. Wear 2-piece clothing. A specially trained radiology technologist will do the X-ray. The technologist will ask you to undress, put on a gown, and stand next to the X-ray machine. Two flat surfaces (plates) are slowly squeezed together. They compress each breast for a few seconds. This compression may be somewhat painful. But it is needed to make the best pictures using the lowest amount of radiation possible.

ARE MAMMOGRAMS PAINFUL?

You may find the pressure of the plates on their breasts to be uncomfortable or even painful. Timing your mammogram when your breasts are not tender is important. In premenopausal women, this is usually one (1) week after your menstrual period. If you do have discomfort or pain, ask the technologist to reposition you to try to make it as painless as possible. Remember that each X-ray takes just a few moments and could save your life.

WHO PAYS FOR MAMMOGRAPHY?

The Affordable Care Act dictates that mammograms for breast cancer screening be given without a co-pay or deductible beginning with plan years starting after Aug. 1, 2012. But health plans that were in place before the act was passed (grandfathered plans) don’t have to cooperate. Those plans are covered by various state and federal laws. Medicare covers annual mammography screenings for women ages 40 and older. Most states now require that health insurance policies offer mammography screening reimbursement. Many mammography facilities also offer special programs and lower fees during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Because of ongoing attempts to change the ACA, check with your health insurance provider before setting up an appointment. For low-income women, mammograms are covered through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. For more information, contact your state department of health.

Vidant Bertie (794-6659), Vidant Chowan (482-8451) and Vidant Roanoke-Chowan (209-3156 or 209-3033) Hospitals all offer the latest in mammography technology – 3D digital. Contact the Radiology Department at any of the hospitals for more information or to make an appointment.

Vidant Health is a mission-driven, 1,708-bed health system that annually serves a region of more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is made up of more than 14,000 team members, nine hospitals, home health, hospice, wellness centers, and Vidant Medical Group, a multi-specialty physician and provider group with more than 500 providers in more than 100 practice sites in eastern North Carolina. Vidant is affiliated with The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. As a major resource for health services and education, Vidant’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. For more information, visit www.VidantHealth.com.