News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Poyant
Public Information Officer
Southcoast Health System
Office: 508-973-5280
Cell: 774-634-1460
poyants@southcoast.org
www.southcoast.org/news/releases/
Southcoast Radiology and Imaging Services offers free mammograms during
the month of October
Free screenings to coincide with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. —Southcoast® Radiology and Imaging Services, part of Southcoast
Health System, will offer free mammograms for uninsured individuals during National Breast Cancer
Awareness month, this October. Screenings will be offered at all twelve 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
diagnose 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
mammography 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 is
offering this important screening, at no cost, to any uninsured individual during National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month. 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.
Appointments are required. To schedule a free mammogram during the month of October call
central scheduling, at 800-276-0103.
Southcoast Health System is a primary provider of breast health services in the region.
Southcoast’s Breast Imaging Centers are designated as Centers of Excellence by the American College of
Radiology and offer 100 percent digital mammography services at of their sites throughout Southeastern
Massachusetts. The following 11 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
300Hanover 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
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center
874 Purchase Street
WAREHAM
Tobey Hospital
43 High Street
Southcoast Health System at Rosebrook
100 Rosebrook Way
About Southcoast Radiology and Imaging Services
Southcoast Health System 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 System & Southcoast Hospitals Group
Southcoast Health System 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, 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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