Free breast cancer screenings start May 20

A walk-in clinic that provides free breast cancer screening opens its doors to the public on Friday, May 20.

The clinic will be open once every two weeks on Fridays at The Women’s Center at HealthCenter, next to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Clinic hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Women may make advance appointments or drop by for unscheduled screenings.

Advance appointments take place between 9 and 10 a.m., then walk-in patients are seen between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. If time is available between 9 and 10 a.m., walk-in patients may be seen then as well.

Patients initially will see a doctor or mid-level medical provider, provide a brief medical history and receive a clinical breast exam.

Based on that, a woman will receive the appropriate mammography during the same visit. If additional imaging is needed, she may receive it the same day or may be asked to plan a return visit.

It’s part of Northwest Healthcare’s mission to make sure every woman has access to breast screening even if she has no established relationship with a health-care provider. Early detection provides the best chance of success against breast cancer.

A $28,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Montana to the Bass Breast Center and Kalispell Regional Medical Center made this new clinic possible.

It covers all expenses of offering the clinic, including mammograms. If a breast ultrasound is required, the Save A Sister program covers that cost.

To schedule an appointment or find the date of the next walk-in clinic, call Save A Sister at 1-877-399-0384.