Providence and its Foundation bring advanced mobile breast cancer detection to Southcentral Alaska

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Providence Alaska is excited to introduce its newest state-of-the-art mobile mammography coach, equipped to bring advanced breast cancer detection technology directly to communities across Southcentral Alaska.

Providence Cancer Center's new coach - operated by Providence Imaging Center - features the Hologic 3D Mammography System, which is designed to provide higher quality 3D images for radiologists and provide a more comfortable mammography experience for patients. The new coach features the same equipment used at Providence Imaging Center, ensuring the quality of detection is equal to what is available in the clinic.

"Our new mobile mammography unit brings life-saving breast cancer screening directly to workplaces and communities across Alaska," said Caleb Terpstra, director of Diagnostic Imaging at Providence Alaska Medical Center. "The continued success of this program, along with stories of patients who discovered breast cancer early after visiting the unit, drives home the importance of making mobile screenings available."

Providence Imaging Center partners with a variety of businesses, organizations and communities to bring the mobile mammography coach to locations throughout Southcentral Alaska, including Homer, Valdez, Cordova and Glennallen.

The mammography coach will be available for screenings at a variety of locations during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are the scheduled dates and locations of public events in October:

Oct. 4 - Enlaces Community Health Fair (Anchorage)
Oct. 6 - Providence Cancer Center
Oct. 7 - Alaska Club West/Women's Club (Anchorage)
Oct. 8 - Girdwood Rotary Community Health Fair
Oct. 14 - Moonflower Boutique (Wasilla)
Oct. 16 - Alaska Federation of Natives (Anchorage)
Oct. 18 - Texas Roadhouse (Old Seward location)
Oct. 24 - C'eyiits' Hwnax Life House Community Health Center (Sutton)
Oct. 25 - Vivid Studio (Anchorage)
Oct. 29 - South Restaurant (Anchorage)
Oct. 30 - Apricot Lane Boutique (Anchorage)

To schedule an appointment, please call (907) 212-3151. Please have your insurance information and primary care provider's contact information available when calling. A referral is not needed for mobile mammogram appointments, which typically take 20 minutes. An updated list of events is available on the Providence Imaging Center Facebook page.

Purchase of the new coach was made possible by donations to Providence Alaska Foundation, highlighting the community's commitment to women's health. It will be the fifth coach in the 40-year history of Providence Alaska's mobile mammography program.

According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage (no sign the cancer has spread outside of the breast), the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.

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