The month of October is popularly recognized by many as Breast Cancer Awareness Month,.
According to the Susan G. Komen foundation, there will be more than 250,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the U.S. this year. While that may be a big number, prevention begins with a single step.
Covenant Health is the only facility with a mobile mammography unit in the region. Throughout the month, the bus will travel throughout west Texas to make screening services more accessible, especially to people who may not be able to make the trip into Lubbock.
“They all really enjoy coming in, it’s so convenient for them to when we go to their community, and it takes so little time that they really, most of them really appreciate it.,” said Corinna Allen-Robison, a mammography technologist with the Arrington Comprehensive Breast Cancer. “It gets out their excuse that they have to drive to Lubbock, we go to them.”
The program focuses on women age 40 and older and operates under the Arrington Comprehensive Breast Center. Each mammography technologist is licensed and certified by the Texas Department of Health and the American Registry of Radiological Technologists.
Robison advises that after any woman receives their first mammogram, to see a technologist at least once a year after that. While you can also self-examine once a month, it’s encouraged that you first see a doctor to understand what is going to be considered abnormal for your breasts.
“When the doctors feels your breast, you can feel what they’re feeling to make sure you’re on the same wavelength, and then do that at least once a month,” explained Robison.
Each appointment takes around 20 minutes. To find out when the bus will be nearest you, or if you would like to make an appointment, you’re encouraged to call ahead of time at 806-725-6579.
To learn more about payment options and financial assistance for this service, click here.
