Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will offer 50 free 3-D mammogram screenings during October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The initiative is aimed at women who are uninsured and due for their annual mammogram.
The hospital states that the 3-D mammography procedure differs from traditional methods because the tomosynthesis machine moves around the breast, capturing multiple low-dose images from different angles. This approach provides a more detailed view of breast tissue, which can help radiologists identify abnormalities that might be missed with standard imaging.
Eligibility requirements for the free screenings include being age 40 or older, not having had a mammogram in the past year, being uninsured, not pregnant, experiencing no current breast problems, and living in one of eight specified counties: Sumter, Schley, Macon, Marion, Dooly, Webster, Stewart, or Taylor. A referring physician is also required. The program covers only initial screening mammograms and does not include follow-up imaging.
According to projections by the American Cancer Society for 2025, about 316,950 new cases of breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed nationwide. Additionally, an estimated 59,080 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive early form of breast cancer, will be identified. Nearly 42,170 people are projected to die from the disease.
Appointments for these free screenings can be made by calling the Phoebe Patient Contact Center at (229) 931-1375.
