Ayer, MA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s also a good time for women living in the Nashoba Valley region to think about getting a routine, breast cancer screening mammogram. The Women’s Imaging Center at Nashoba Valley Medical Center will host its Annual Breast Health Day on Thursday, Oct.12 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, 200 Groton Road in Ayer, Massachusetts. Mammograms appointments are available throughout the day, and walk-ins are welcome as well. Those who have mammograms will be treated to giveaways, breast health information, refreshments and a can enter a free raffle drawing for a picnic basket filled with goodies.

The Women’s Imaging Center offers a wide variety of breast imaging services. The center has full-field digital mammography and provides breast ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast MRI. In addition to breast health, it also offers bone density testing.

According to the American Cancer Society, it’s estimated that a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in eight and mammography is the most effective method of screening for breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and the most common cancer that women may face in their lifetime with the exception of skin cancer. These statistics confirm having an annual mammogram should be a top priority for women,” said Nashoba Valley Medical Center Radiologist Matthew Foley, MD. “A mammogram can detect abnormalities in a woman’s breasts well before they will ever feel it themselves.”

Nashoba’s Women's Imaging Center is fully accredited by the American College of Radiology. The center can provide an appointment for a mammogram, in most cases, within 48 hours.

For more information about the Women’s Imaging Center Breast Health Day or to schedule an appointment for a mammogram, 1-888-431-5871.

About Nashoba Valley Medical Center
Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC) offers community-based primary care and specialty services. NVMC was awarded an A, the highest grade possible, in hospital safety by The Leapfrog Group. The hospital was a recipient of the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval and was named to Leapfrog’s annual list of Top Hospitals in 2014. Areas of clinical strength include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, geriatric psychiatry, cardiology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, oncology, orthopedics, physical therapy and general surgery. NVMC also offers a comprehensive Center for Pain Management, Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Travel Clinic and Occupational Health Services. Nashoba Valley Medical Center is part of Steward Health Care, which is a fully integrated national health care services organization committed to providing the highest quality of care in the communities where its patients live. Steward owns and operates 18 community hospitals across four states, serves over 800 communities, and has more than 23,000 employees. The Steward network includes more than 25 urgent care centers, 42 preferred skilled nursing facilities, substantial behavioral health offerings, and more than 3,700 beds under management. Additional information is available at www.nashobamed.org.

# # #