Commonwealth Health’s 10th Annual Mammothon

8/10/2021

Commonwealth Health is excited to announce the date and time of the tenth annual Mammothon. To accommodate appointment scheduling, Mammothon will be hosted on September 9, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This year, eager volunteers from four Commonwealth Health hospitals, and related clinics, will be calling woman who are past due for their annual mammograms, in hopes of helping them to proactively schedule these critical screenings.

The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women ages 45 to 54. Due to concerns about COVID-19, many women have postponed their annual mammogram, which increases the risk of undetected cancer.

According to results from a study published by Epic Health Research Network, preventive screenings for breast and cervical cancer dropped by 94% when COVID-19 was first declared a national emergency. It was later reported that between March 15 and June 16, 2020, approximately 285,000 breast exams were missed. This is a drop of 63% in breast cancer screenings.

From 1989 to 2017, breast cancer mortality rates for all women in the U.S. decreased by 40%, a decrease attributed to improved treatment and increased rates of screening mammography use starting in the early to mid-1980s.

Commonwealth Health is encouraging women who may have delayed their mammograms to schedule their screening now, because when breast cancer is detected early, life-saving treatment can begin immediately.

Commonwealth Health offers 4 convenient locations for mammograms - Dunmore, Kingston, Pittston and Mountain Top. For more information on mammogram locations or to find a primary care physician call 1-800-838-WELL (9355). Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Geisinger Health Plan.