News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Cohenno
Public Information Officer
Southcoast Health
Office: 508-973-5280
Mobile: 774-218-5530
cohennop@southcoast.org
www.southcoast.org/news/releases/
Southcoast Health offers free mammograms to the uninsured during the
month of October
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Radiology and Imaging Services, part of Southcoast® Health, is
offering free mammograms for uninsured individuals during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in
October. Screenings will be offered at all 12 Southcoast Breast Imaging Centers across the region.
Statistics show that one in eight women over the age of 40 will develop breast cancer. Since
patients are less likely to experience symptoms during the early stage of breast cancer, when tumors are
small and most treatable, early detection and regular screenings are a necessity to reduce advanced stage
diagnosis and often improve treatment outcome. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that it is very
important for women to follow the recommended screening guidelines for detecting breast cancer at an
early stage, before symptoms develop. The ACS recommends that women receive a regular, annual
mammogram beginning at age 40.
Data also shows that individuals without health insurance are less likely to have regular breast
cancer screenings, significantly reducing their changes of early detection. That is why Southcoast Health
is offering this important screening, at no cost, to any uninsured individual during National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month. Southcoast Health also offers patient navigators to assist uninsured patients in need of
additional studies beyond a screening mammogram. The patient navigators are Nurse Practitioners or
Physician Assistants who specialize in breast care and help patients find their way through the healthcare
system.
Appointments are required. To schedule a free mammogram during the month of October call
central scheduling at 800-276-0103. Massachusetts residents will also have the opportunity to speak with
Patient Financial Services for guidance on how to apply for health insurance. Rhode Island residents
without insurance are welcome to take advantage of the free screenings, but will not qualify for financial
assistance.
Southcoast Health System is a primary provider of breast health services in the region. Southcoast
Breast Imaging Center is designated as Centers of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, is
certified by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers by the American College of Surgeons,
and offer 100 percent digital mammography services at all of their sites throughout Southeastern
Massachusetts. The following 12 sites will offer the free screenings:
DARTMOUTH
Southcoast Center for Women’s Health
300B Faunce Corner Road
FAIRHAVEN
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care
206 Mill Road
FALL RIVER
Charlton Memorial Hospital
363 Highland Avenue
Borden Medical Building
300 Hanover Street
HealthFirst Family Care Center
387 Quarry Street, Suite 104
Narragansett Mill
1565 North Main Street
New Boston Medical Center
373 New Boston Road
Truesdale Clinic
263 Stanley Street
NEW BEDFORD
St. Luke’s Hospital
101 Page Street
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
874 Purchase Street
WAREHAM
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street
Southcoast Health at Rosebrook
100 Rosebrook Way
About Southcoast Radiology and Imaging Services
Southcoast Health offers first-rate radiology imaging services at 15 sites throughout the region, including
all three Southcoast Hospitals sites — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in
New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham — and the two Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care sites,
giving patients easy access to high-quality services. Southcoast Radiology Imaging Services performs
more than 400,000 radiology procedures each year. The radiologists, technologists, managers and support
staff are dedicated to providing superior patient care and customer service.
In addition to a 3T MRI scanner, Southcoast Radiology Imaging Services provides the most
advanced technology available in the region. Southcoast offers low-dose 128-slice CT scanner and the
region's largest digital mammography system. Additional services include Bone Densitometry (DEXA
scanning), Computed Tomography (CT scan), PET/CT, Diagnostic Radiology (X-ray), Interventional
Radiology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Digital Mammography, Non-Invasive Vascular
Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound.
To learn more about the latest radiology technology at Southcoast, visit
www.southcoast.org/radiology.
About Southcoast Health & Southcoast Hospitals Group
Southcoast Health is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an
integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode
Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up Southcoast Hospitals Group — Charlton Memorial
Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty and heart
rhythm services, comprehensive cancer care, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery, plastic surgery, hand
surgery, orthopedic surgery, advanced imaging services and is the only provider of maternity services in
the region.
Southcoast is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the support of the
community to provide services. More information is available online at www.southcoast.org. Connect to
Southcoast through social media at www.southcoast.org/connect/.
Southcoast® is a registered trademark of Southcoast Health System Inc.
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