Two New Mammography Centers Join Fight Against Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second-leading cancer killer of women in the United States. American Cancer Society figures show that more than 180,000 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, resulting in more than 40,000 deaths among American women in 2000. With the increased use of mammography screening, breast cancers are now being detected earlier in their development, which is when they are more treatable.

Screening mammography guidelines set forth by the American Cancer Society include annual screenings and clinical breast exams for women age 40 and older, clinical breast exams every three years for women age 20 to 39, and monthly breast self-examination by women age 20 and older.

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is expanding its women's health program with a screening mammography center located within the cosmetic area of the Macy's department store in the Houston Galleria II. The Memorial Hermann Mammography Center at Macy's is the first of its kind in Texas, joining at least seven others already opened by Macy's parent company, Federated Department Stores. Centers are located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Georgia. Featuring the newest "Instrumentarium" screening equipment that makes the testing procedure as comfortable as possible, the center's tests will be performed by skilled staff mammographers and read by breast radiologists from Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. A grand-opening "pink" ribbon cutting is set to take place on National Mammography Day - Friday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m.

A common misconception that symptoms must first present before getting screened, lack of knowledge and awareness, and lack of convenient access to mammography facilities are major barriers to women seeking annual mammograms. An inviting, convenient mammography center in the atmosphere of a shopping mall, Memorial Hermann officials say, addresses many of these issues.

With 80 percent of Macy's customers being women, the center has the potential to screen countless shoppers, reaching thousands of women every day. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome, and a discreet paging system allows patients to shop while they wait.

Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital is the first hospital in Houston to partner with a retail center to offer screening mammography.

Also opening this month is the new Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Breast Care Center. With more than 1,800 patients seen monthly, the center is expanding into an 8,000 square-foot location in the hospital's pavilion and is equipped for screening and diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsies, bone density reading and consultation rooms.

It features the same state-of-the-art equipment as the Macy's location, allowing for less invasive techniques to sample malignant tumors and remove certain benign lesions without surgery.

An open house Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., will introduce the expanded Breast Care Center. Representatives from the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, CanCare and others will be on hand to discuss support services. Also planned for the event is a tour, free osteoporosis screenings for the first 60 guests, a cooking demonstration of cancer-fighting foods and a showcase of vendors with literature on medications, procedures and tips. Lois Hjelmstad, a breast cancer survivor and author of "Fine Black Lines," will be at the event to say a few words, as well as to give away 10 signed copies of her book in a drawing. An RSVP is required by calling (713) 222-CARE (2273).

To further recognize that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Memorial Hermann will participate in other initiatives. Community Shopping Day, hosted by Macy's, is a daylong shopping event dedicated to raising money for five local breast cancer programs, including Memorial Hermann. By purchasing a $10 ticket, Macy's customers will both raise funds for local breast cancer charities and enjoy savings throughout the store Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Macy's also will present its first-ever Heart & Soul Awards to local individuals who have demonstrated leadership and passion in the fight against breast cancer. The event is Tuesday, Oct. 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a reception preceding the awards ceremony. Admission to the ceremony requires the purchase of a Community Shopping Day ticket. Memorial Hermann honorees are Stephen Rose, M.D., a board-certified radiologist and medical director of the Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Breast Care Center, and Tess Morgan, a registered radiographer and registered mammographer with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital.

Finally, as a Silver Sponsor, Memorial Hermann will participate in the 12th annual Komen-Houston Race for the Cure. All proceeds go toward the mission of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. Starting at the south corner of Post Oak Boulevard and Westheimer, race routes wind through Uptown Houston. The event, which attracts more than 28,000 participants annually, takes place Saturday, Oct. 12, beginning at 6 a.m.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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