According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer comes in second, behind skin cancer, as one of the most common forms of the disease among women in the US. A new mobile mammography unit from McLeod Health, however, is helping to make detection of the disease a little more convenient.
The unit hit Pee Dee roads this past January and since then has traveled to places like businesses, industries, and health fairs.
Lynn Jackson participated in the unit’s screenings when it came to her workplace, Wix Filtration Corporation, this past March.
“I just went out there. They took my name and whatever and they did the test and I was back on my job within 15 minutes,” said Jackson.
In that short time frame, however, nurses caught something that would forever change Jackson’s life. A diagnostic test was later ordered and that’s when doctors discovered 10 dime-sized lumps in her breast.
“I was scared. I was very scared because I lost a sister to cancer, breast cancer and back in ’95, ’96, she didn’t make it.”
Jackson is facing a very different diagnosis, however, thanks to early detection. She underwent a lumpectomy to remove the cancer in April and is currently undergoing radiation treatments.
Now, she encourages everyone she can to hop aboard the mobile unit.
“I tell everybody…grocery store, anywhere, Wal-Mart, anywhere I see them I tell them, you know, take care of yourself and do what you have to do to take care of yourself,” said Jackson.
If you would like the unit to come to your business, call 777-5657.
For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society's 24 hour hotline at (800)227-2345 or log onto www.cancer.org.

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