NCFL medical group provides free mobile mammograms for women

TRENTON, Fla. (WCJB) - A North Central Florida medical group is offering free mammogram services to help with early breast cancer detection as the FDA releases new regulations.

According to the CDC, about 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in her life. Professionals with Palms Medical Group are offering free mammogram services to help with early breast cancer detection.

They partnered with the Tech Care Mobile Mammograms company for the event to make it easy for women without transportation or insurance.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to see people come in from all areas specifically to get their mammogram,” said Desiree Hayes, Palms Medical Group Vice President. “They understand the importance, they know the value of early detection for getting these services completed.”

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Exactly one month ago, the FDA released new mammogram regulations to help women prevent, detect and treat breast cancer.

According to the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) of 1992, about half of women over the age of 40 in the U.S. have dense breast tissue. They say dense breast tissue can make cancers more difficult to detect on a mammogram.

That’s why the FDA is now requiring people performing mammograms to notify patients about the density of their breasts. Along with getting annual inspections in their facilities to help make sure patients are receiving quality care.

For women like Krishna Stemple, events like this are personal to her.

“My mom and my mother-in-law are both breast cancer survivors, “ said Stemple. “So for me, it’s pretty amazing that we can have this in our community for all people that can’t travel that far or they don’t have insurance.”

Mammographer Crystal Dillard demonstrated how a mammogram is performed.

“It’s a screening mammogram that checks for breast cancer, making sure that everybody if they have something we can get it taken care of, said Dillard. “Unfortunately it’s a little uncomfortable but it is very easy to maneuver.”

Hayes said women over 50 should have mammograms annually. The group will be providing free mammograms at three additional locations this week:

• On Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 173 N.W. Albritton Ln., Lake City,
• On Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 103 S.W. Highway 27, Branford
• On Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 410 N. Main St., Chiefland

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