YRMC offering self-referring screening mammograms as hospital enhances women’s health
*We made a mistake at the beginning of this segment during CBS 13's News at 10, Wednesday night . The mammograms are not free but are self-referring by appointment. We apologize for the inconvenience.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is now offering mammogram screenings without needing a referral from your doctor.
As breast cancer awareness month continues, Getting an annual mammogram in a timely matter is critical for many women.
To get this taken care of, YRMC has three screening locations that are by appointment only.
Breast cancer affects one and eight women.
Doctors recommend this screening when you hit the age of 40 if you don’t have any prior risk factors.
Dr. Saverumuthu says it’s easy to do and could be life saving.
“People sometimes have anxiety related to the actual procedure in that they anticipate it can be painful but I think that the benefit of doing the study outweighs finding cancer later on,” the doctor said.
Early detection may be a life-saver. It typically means patients have better outcomes for beating breast cancer.
Dr. Angela Saverumuthu is a hematology & medical oncology physician at the YRMC Cancer Center.
“It is really important to get a screening mammogram because early detection is so key. It can truly save lives and when we detect breast cancer early survival is much better than late detection,” she said.
The hospital also announced it will add more providers to the 8th Avenue Women’s Health Center.
This move will increase provider collaboration and improve patient coordination for the community.
Nationwide many women have been putting off their wellness visits and screenings; the pandemic may have played a role.
“Because of COVID, a lot of women are not getting their mammograms when they're due in fear of getting COVID when they go to the imaging centers, but we are trying to take a lot of precautions to minimize the spread of COVID,” Dr. Saverumuthu explained.
The hospital also announced more providers are being added to the 8th avenue women’s health center.
“Our gynecologists and obstetricians can also help support our patients in having their mammograms done. They also actually offer genetic testing done as well,” Dr. Saverumuthu added.
There are three screening locations:
- Yuma Regional Medical Center Outpatient Diagnostic Imaging Center (located in Parkview Medical Plaza, by the Hospital)
- Yuma Regional Medical Center Diagnostic Imaging Foothills (located in our YRMC’s Primary Care Foothills clinic)
- Yuma Regional Medical Center Women's Health Center (located on 8th Avenue)
To make an appointment, call (928) 336-7400.
