Submitted by PeaceHealth Peace Island.

With the aim of making it as easy as possible for Islanders to get timely and potentially life-saving mammograms, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center has nearly doubled the number of available monthly appointments.

As of the week of Feb. 20, the Imaging team is scheduling mammograms twice every week — Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Previously, mammograms were offered Tuesdays and the third Monday of every month.

“We’ve been wanting to increase mammography services at Peace Island for quite some time,” said Emelda Perez, supervisor of Imaging Services at Peace Island. “Our patients understand the importance of regular screenings and appreciate being able to access them right here at home.”

Peace Island’s Hologic Genius 3D Mammography Exam equipment was installed in 2019. The Genius 3D technology offers a better, more accurate screening exam for women across all ages and breast densities. Imaging technologists use Soft Touch and SmartCurve technologies for greater comfort.

“With technologists out on the island eight or nine days a month instead of just five, we expect to see volumes increase quickly,” said Christopher Wood, director of Imaging Services for PeaceHealth’s Northwest network. “This is a big win for Peace Island.”

PeaceHealth Peace Island’s two technologists are based at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center in Sedro-Woolley but travel regularly out to the island. Perez noted how much Peace Island appreciates the collaboration with its sister hospital.

From July 1 through Jan. 31, the Imaging team- at PeaceHealth Peace Island performed 1,044 mammograms, up from 997 in the same period the previous year.