It s time for annual exam
Women encouraged to have mammograms
Staff reporter
A simple X-ray can save women's lives. It's true and it's something mammogram technician Wendy Harms at St. Luke Hospital definitely believes.
"There is a 98 percent cure rate if breast cancer is caught early," said Harms.
Harms recently was certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
No stranger to the profession, Harms graduated in 1980 as an X-ray technician.
During the past 25 years, she has worked at Halstead Hospital/Hertzler Clinic providing diagnostic X-rays, mammograms, and radiation oncology.
She also worked as a technician on a mobile van and provided 2,000-3,000 mammograms per year.
Harms has worked part-time at St. Luke Hospital for a year. She also is on-call for Anatomy Imaging at Wichita.
"Women between the ages of 35 and 40 need a base line mammogram," Harms said. Women 40 and older need annual mammograms.
Doctors' orders are not required for women 38 years old and older to receive a base line or screening mammogram (those with no symptoms).
Harms has seen the highs and lows of breast cancer. She has seen women fully recover and those who do not.
"Breast cancer can be very painful," Harms said, "because it can spread to the brain, bones, and lungs."
Sandy Harris also provides mammograms at the hospital. She also has decades of experience and ability.
A radiologist from Emporia reads the mammograms on Mondays and Thursdays.
"The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) requires specific qualifications for mammogram readers," said Harms.
The doctors must be certified annually which requires a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education and reading a minimum of 200 mammograms each year.
All radiology professionals now are required to be state licensed, said Harms.
Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, evening and Saturday appointments are available at the hospital during October.
Call the hospital at (620) 382-2177, to schedule an appointment.
National Mammogram Day is Oct. 21 and women are reminded to have their annual exam.
Marion County Health Department also is offering free breast exams and mammograms during October to those women between the ages of 40 and 65. To quality, women must have no insurance and meet income guidelines.
Contact the health department at (620) 382-2550 for more information.
