With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Greene County Medical Center’s Imaging Department is having extended appointment hours this week for mammography screenings.

The GE Pristina is a 3D Mammography machine that takes pictures of a woman’s breast tissue, and as Director of Imaging Jennifer Miller explains, it can detect dense breast tissue better than what a 2D machine can. The medical center recently received the $350,000 piece of equipment, which can detect 41-percent more breast cancer cases than before. Miller adds that not only is the breastplate more comfortable for the patient with the 3D Mammography machine, it also has other features that create a more comfortable environment.

“We now have what’s called a ‘sensory suite’ in the unit. There’s two big screen monitors playing music and it’s illuminated with back lights, and they can pick what their favorite color is. It’s playing soft piano music with different nature scenes playing on the monitor to help them relax. The more relaxed the patient is, the more tissue we can get into that mammogram and it’s a better experience for them.”

The Imaging Department will have extended appointment hours tonight from 5:30 to 7pm and again this Saturday from 9 to 11am. Call them at 386-0443 to schedule an appointment.