More local women getting screened for breast cancer

In 2015, Kalispell Regional Medical Center saw about 500 more women screened for breast cancer compared to the year before, according to Health Center and Winkley Women’s Center mammalogy manager Holly Apple.

She said the increase was likely due to the center’s new Digital Breast Tomosynthesis imaging tool, which allows a radiologist to roll through layers of the breast using 3-D technology to perform a deeper evaluation.

“In spite of the increase in 2015, Montana is still behind in percentage of women that are regularly screened for mammography,” Apple added. “One reason may be the rural nature of Montana.”

Another reason for the lower screening numbers may be confusing guidelines from various organizations, making women unsure when it’s appropriate to get screened, Apple said.

She said while many women are diagnosed with breast cancer with no family history, a common excuse for not getting a mammogram is a lack of family history.

Kalispell Regional Healthcare recommends women use a combination of mammography and body self-awareness to detect changes in their breasts. Current American College of Radiology guidelines recommend screening mammograms every year beginning at the age of 40.

For more information, go to www.krh.org/hcnw/imaging/the-womens-center/breast-imaging-digital-mammography.

Cancer and women’s health resources

— Alpine Women’s Center, a primary car facility in Whitefish for women’s health. Visit www.aplinewomenscenter.com or call 862-6436.

— Cancer Support Community in Kalispell, where people impacted by cancer can find answers, support and a place of peace at 752-0130.

— Bass Breast Cancer Center at Kalispell Regional Healthcare offers a range of resources and support for anyone suffering from breast cancer. Call 751-6488

— Flathead Valley Women’s Center in Kalispell at 752-0303.

— Glacier Oncology. In addition to oncology services they have a nutritional supplement program to help cancer patients with their while system healing. Call 752-7600.

— Northwest Women’s Health Care Center in Kalispell at 752-8282.

— The Women’s Center at Health Center in Kalispell at 751-9729.

Screening by the numbers

Health Center screening mammograms at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in 2015: 8,557. Of those screenings, 54 people who were diagnosed with cancer.

Hinkley Women Center Mobile Mammograms: 2,284. Of those screenings, 13 people were diagnosed with cancer.