Mammography clinic offers walk-in screenings Published Sept. 24, 2013 By Steve Pivnick 81st Training Wing KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- October is just around the corner and Keesler Medical Center's mammography clinic is promoting "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" with their second annual mammothon 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 25. The mammography clinic will offer walk-in mammograms to all beneficiaries 40 years old or older who are due for annual screening. All medical center clinics are working together to expand services this year to include walk-in pap smears, clinical breast exams, flu shots, nutritional counseling, blood pressure screening and more. Scheduled well-woman exams will also be available. The mammography clinic is located on the first floor of the medical center in room 1A219, near the A tower entrance. Surgeons will offer clinical breast exams in Radiology. Walk-in pap smears will be available in the Women's Health Clinic. Flu shots, blood pressure screening, nutrition counseling and more will be provided in the Don Wylie Auditorium, near the mammography clinic. Scheduled well-woman exams will be in family health. Medical center volunteers will be on hand to help patients navigate the hospital. Mammography technologist Kerry Hudson, 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron, said the program is for active duty, retirees and their dependents. "If you are 40 years old or older and due for your annual mammogram, just walk in," said Hudson. "All beneficiaries are welcome and no appointment is necessary." She stated, "If a patient sees an off-base doctor, they can bring an order from the provider and we'll honor it. Patients over age 65 believe they can't receive a mammogram here. However, that's not true; we just need an order from their provider." Hudson said patients who stop by but are not due for their annual mammogram can make a future appointment and take advantage of the other services available. Last year's Mammothon was a tremendous success. Seventy-four women received mammograms with little wait time and several cancers were found and treated at Keesler. Maj. (Dr.) Matthew Barchie, radiologist-in-charge of mammography, stated, "We are very excited about this year's event and the opportunity it provides to ensure our Air Force family remains healthy. The entire medical center is pitching in to promote women's health and 'Breast Cancer Awareness.' Come be a part of it!"