Cincinnati  - According to a recent study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of American women getting mammograms has dropped slightly in the past few years. The study reports that the share of women 40 and older who said they had a mammogram in the previous two years slipped from 76.4 percent to 74.6 percent between 2000 and 2005.

"Although this decline may seem small, it could mean that thousands of cases of breast cancer may go undiagnosed," says Elizabeth Weaver, M.D., medical director of mammography services at Jewish Hospital. "Yearly mammograms save lives because they can detect breast cancers at their earliest, most treatable stage. That's why it's imperative that women continue to receive yearly mammograms beginning at age 40."

The Jewish Hospital Mobile Mammography Unit offers women a screening mammogram in 15 minutes at a location near their home or workplace. Jewish Hospital also provides mammograms in their Breast Center, located in the Jewish Hospital Medical Office Building, 4750 E. Galbraith Road. Appointments for the Mobile Mammography Unit and the Breast Center are required and can be made by calling 513-686-3300.

All mammograms provided by the The Jewish Hospital are read by the expert radiologists of Professional Radiology, Inc. And, because a second look can mean a second chance, all of their mammograms are also double-checked by the R2 ImageChecker, a computer aided detection system that detects 23.4 percent more breast cancer than mammography alone. Screening mammograms are usually a covered benefit with most insurance carriers. For best coverage, patients should verify that The Jewish Hospital is an in-network provider with their insurance carrier. For women who are uninsured or underinsured (have high deductibles), financial assistance programs are available. Call 513-686-3310 for more information.

The Jewish Hospital has been providing mammography services for more than 20 years and screens more women in the Tristate than any other hospital or imaging center. The Jewish Hospital Mobile Mammography Units were established in 1987 and perform more than a third of the hospital's total screening mammograms every year.

The Jewish Hospital is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system that also includes The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Fort Hamilton Hospital, Drake Center, West Chester Medical Center and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom.

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