Mammography services available at VMH while keeping a safe environment


Mammography services at VMH ... Veterans Memorial Hospital has reopened most all outpatient services, including mammography, since the onset of COVID-19. Routine screening is so important when it comes to mammography and early detection of breast cancer. Darci Engelhardt of Luana, pictured above at left, has regular mammograms at Veterans Memorial Hospital. She recently visited the hospital for her annual screen. Submitted photo.

Veterans Memorial Hospital has reopened most all outpatient services, including mammography, since the onset of COVID-19.   Routine screening is so important when it comes to mammography and early detection of breast cancer. Mammograms are very important because they look for breast cancer in women who do not have any symptoms and can detect breast cancer long before it can be felt.

Darci Engelhardt of Luana has regular mammograms at Veterans Memorial Hospital to screen for breast cancer. She recently visited the hospital for her annual screen - her first one since the onset of COVID-19.

“I didn’t feel there was any difference in this mammogram from my last, other than the fact I had to wear a mask,” states Darci. “It’s so important to keep up on your screenings even with all of this COVID-19 spread, but the hospital has very good safety measures so I felt very comfortable.”
Veterans Memorial Hospital has been offering the advanced state-of-the-art 3D mammography for nearly four years. This advanced breast tomosynthesis technology provides exams that are clinically proven to significantly increase the detection of breast cancers, while simultaneously decreasing the number of women asked to return for additional testing.

The benefits of this 3D digital Mammography technology include the following:

· A 41% increase in the detection of invasive breast cancers.
· A 29% increase in the detection of all breast cancers.
· A 15% decrease in women recalled for additional imaging.

The Radiology Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital has extended hours into the evening to allow for more mammogram appointments to be scheduled after work. Each and every patient and visitor who enters the hospital is screened with a temperature scan and is asked a short series of health questions that are COVID-19 related.

Each staff member also screens their temperature before entering the hospital, all in an effort to continue to stop the spread of this respiratory illness.

To schedule a 3D Mammography exam, or for questions about this important breast health procedure, contact the Veterans Memorial Hospital Radiology Department at 563-568-3411.