Intermountain Press Release

Provo, Utah—According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Research shows that early detection is the best prevention for breast cancer.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Intermountain Healthcare's Utah County hospitals will be honoring those who are battling breast cancer and remember those who lost the fight with breast cancer by wearing pink during the month – literally. Trees around Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, American Fork Hospital, and Orem Community Hospital will be decorated in pink ribbons throughout the month of October.

Services being offered during October to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month include mammograms and free clinical breast exams.

To schedule a mammogram at any of Intermountain's Utah County hospitals during the month of October call 855-3350 for American Fork Hospital, 714-3331 for Orem Community Hospital, and 357-7871 for Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. Everyone who receives a mammogram during October will also receive a free gift.

Clinical breast exams by a physician are being offered free of charge at the Merrill Gappmayer Family Medicine Center located at 475 West 940 North, in Provo, on October 18, and October 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call the Merrill Gappmayer Family Medicine Center at 357-7930 to schedule an appointment.

American Fork Hospital will be promoting digital mammography in honor of National Mammography Day by opening appointments to women in the community on October 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment for a digital mammogram, call American Fork Hospital at 855-3350.

Using digital mammography means images are better and clearer and they can be stored and transferred electronically instead of printed on film. The result is that the images are available instantaneously. Digital technology presents the clearest image possible in breast imaging. Studies show that digital technology finds more cancers at earlier stages, when the probability of a cure is best.