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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa.– Summit Health recently held a ceremony to congratulate the participants of the 2012 Mammo Challenge. The Summit Health Mammo Challenge is an employee program designed to encourage women 40 and over to get their yearly screening mammogram.

According to program organizer Laura Gordon, Breast Health Patient Navigator at Rhonda Brake Shreiner Women’s Center, participation has doubled since the program began.

“Breast health and yearly mammograms are so important,” Gordon said.

Gordon said several men also participated in this year’s challenge. 

“It’s important that men understand the importance of mammograms too,” Gordon explained. “So, we encourage our male employees to join a Mammo Challenge team and urge a loved one ¬¬– mother or wife – to get their yearly mammogram.”

The 2012 teams also included female team captains who were under the age of 40.

“It was so exciting this year to have more women under 40 participating in the challenge,” Gordon noted. “We have four young women who captained Mammo Challenge teams even though they were not eligible for mammograms.  They wanted their co-workers to get their mammograms so they started a team. “

“Winners” of the Mammo Challenge are selected at random. All teams receive a prize for participating in the challenge.

Gordon said that finding breast cancer when it is in its earliest stages is very important.

“Three methods are used for early detection of breast cancer: breast self-examination, an examination by a health professional, and the use of mammograms and/or ultrasounds where appropriate,” Gordon noted. 

Guidelines For Breast Cancer Screening
Age 20 and older – self breast exam
Age 20 to 40 – clinical breast exam every 3 years, self breast exams
Age 40 and older – mammogram every year, self breast exams and clinical exams

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Summit Health, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to building a healthier community through leading-edge medical technology, skilled physicians, caring staff, and convenient locations.  Summit Health’s comprehensive selection of services and providers includes family physicians, surgeons, specialists, diagnostic services, a women’s health center, a fitness center, two walk-in care centers, and two award-winning hospitals. For more information about Summit Health, call (717) 267-7136  or visit www.SummitHealth.org.