Women who meet criteria can now schedule a screening mammogram without a physician order at Nuvance Health imaging centers in Carmel, Fishkill, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and Rhinebeck NY, and Sharon, Conn.

HUDSON VALLEY, NY, SHARON, Conn., October 7, 2020 — Nuvance Health has launched a self-referral screening mammogram program at imaging centers in Connecticut and New York. Self-referring screening mammogram means that women who meet criteria can schedule a routine mammogram without a physician order. This improves access to these important screenings and is a convenient way for women to schedule a routine mammogram.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Screening mammograms are currently the most reliable and effective way to detect breast cancer early before it’s big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Results from decades of research show that women who have regular screening mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found early, are less likely to need chemotherapy and aggressive treatment like surgery to remove the breast (mastectomy), and are more likely to be cured.

The self-referral screening mammogram program at Nuvance Health is available for women who meet the following criteria:

·        Age 40 and older

·        Not experiencing symptoms of breast cancer

·        Don’t currently have breast cancer

·        No history of breast cancer

·        Last mammogram was at least 12 months ago

Women who don’t meet these criteria for a screening mammogram should speak with their physician. Women who don’t have a physician can call 888-525-4767, Monday–Friday, 7am–6pm, to be connected with a Nuvance Health Medical Practice physician.

Imaging centers at the following locations are accepting self-referral patients for screening mammograms:

·        DRA Imaging, A Division of Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Fishkill, NY

·        Northern Dutchess Imaging Center, Rhinebeck, NY

·        Nuvance Health Kingston Multispecialty Center and Urgent Care, Kingston, NY

·        Putnam Imaging Center, Carmel, NY

·        The Dyson Breast Center, Poughkeepsie, NY

·        Sharon Imaging Center, Sharon, Conn.

All Nuvance Health imaging locations have American College of Radiology accreditation and provide the highest level of image quality to our patients including advanced 3D mammography technology.

A board-certified radiologist reads the mammography images. Results are sent directly to self-referring patients by mail and are available in the Nuvance Health patient portal too. Results are also sent to the patient’s consulting physician if requested. Nuvance Health will connect self-referring patients to a physician if they request one.

Complete information about the self-referral screening mammogram program is available in these Frequently Asked Questions.

To schedule a screening mammogram by phone, call 845-790-8855 and then press option 1 for imaging. To request a screening mammogram online, visit nuvancehealth.org/breastcare and select Request an Appointment Online. A scheduling specialist will then contact patients by phone to confirm their appointment.

Self-referral screening mammograms are also available at imaging centers affiliated with Nuvance Health’s Danbury Hospital and Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. To schedule a mammography in Danbury, please call: 203-739-4999. To schedule a mammography in Norwalk, please call: 203-838-4886