Mobile mammograms coming to Eielson

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Breast cancer affects hundreds of thousands of women each year and one of the most powerful tools in fighting the disease is early detection.

The Eielson community can find those early detection services when the Breast Cancer Detection Center visits the base March 19 through 21.

Every six months since it was started in 2009, the pink BCDC vehicle rolls onto Eielson offering women the opportunity to get a mammogram.

Since Eielson does not have a mammogram machine of its own, the medical group relies on this service to provide women on base the care required for early detection.
"We are all about doing everything we can to detect breast cancer early," Major Karen Kirk, 354th Medical Group health care integrator said of the clinic staff.

BCDC is an organization that is dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer. They travel throughout Alaska helping women get the care they desire. In addition to bringing their mammogram equipment to base residents, the BCDC also visits remote areas of Alaska such as Seldovia and Tok.

"Now that the mobile mammography unit has been digitalized the results can be received conveniently and in a couple days," said Kathi Loudon, Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska mammography manager.

Women aged 40 to 50 years who have not had their biennial mammogram, or over age 50 and have not had an annual mammogram, are eligible. However, patients still require a referral to be seen by the BCDC.

In an effort to encourage women to take the reins of their personal health and wellness, the medical staff will refer any woman who meets the criteria so she can get a mammogram. Women who are younger than 40 and do not have family history or are outside their timeframe may have to pay for this service.

Knowing what to look for and when to get tested is key to early detection. While some medical sources are moving away from patients performing self-breast exams, the 354th MDG clinic still encourages women to know their bodies and perform these checks.

"Hopefully when they see the pink mobile unit, it will start people thinking about their self and annual exams," said Loudon.

For questions or for more information, contact your medical provider. To schedule an appointment for a BCDC referral, call Major Kirk at 377-6529.