FLINT, Mich., June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — During National
Women’s Health Week, RMI (Regional Medical Imaging), a leading
women’s imaging provider based in Flint, announced that they would
offer free screening mammograms to up to 50 area women who had been
impacted by unemployment or were otherwise unable to pay for a
mammogram.
Forty-one patients took RMI up on the offer, scheduling
appointments for the May 14 event at RMI’s Lennon Road office. RMI
radiologists, including breast imaging expert Nanci Mercer, M.D.,
donated time to interpret mammograms.
Patients were greeted with some unexpected surprises, including
“goody bags” for each woman to take home, filled with items donated
by local businesses. Other vendors had staff on-site to provide
spa-like services, including massages, paraffin hand treatments,
and mini manicures, as they waited for their exams.
While the patients appreciated the amenities, their
understanding of the health implications of a free mammogram was
much deeper. Some said they had gone for years without a
screening.
“Out of the 41 screening mammograms we performed, roughly 10
percent required additional followup tests such as breast
ultrasound or a diagnostic mammogram,” said Dr. Mercer, adding that
one patient needed a breast biopsy.
“Helping 41 patients may not seem like a lot in the context of
the total number of unemployed or uninsured, but it was
all-important to these patients,” said Dr. Mercer. “The number of
suspicious findings illustrates just how crucial screening
mammograms are to identifying treatable cancer or other breast
disorders that might otherwise go undetected.”
Dr. Mercer stressed that, even though times are tough, women
can’t afford to skip their annual mammograms.
“There are options in the community for those who can’t pay or
have a limited ability to pay,” she said. “As a widely recognized
and respected imaging provider in the area, RMI put together a
high-visibi
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