In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, San Ramon Regional Medical Center is lobbying for women’s health and encouraging residents to take advantage of the hospital extended hours for mammogram appointments.

Mammograms are the most effective form of early breast cancer detection, hospital staff say, and in order to encourage residents to schedule an appointment extended hours for mammogram appointments will be offered every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout October.

“The stage at which breast cancer is detected influences a woman’s chance of survival. We encourage every woman to get routine screenings in order to detect and treat cancers as early as possible,” SRRMC CEO Ann Lucena said in a statement.

SRRMC started offering its partiends a new 3D mammography test for breast cancer screenings that is reportedly has a 40% higher cancer detection rate than conventional 2D testing systems. The 3D system is designed not only to be more physically comfortable for a patient but will also provide radiologists with exceptionally sharp images, hospital staff said.

“We are thrilled to offer this advanced technology that improves breast cancer detection rates and reduces the number of false positives,” Lucena said.

Highlighting the great importance of testing early and often, SRRMC said that if detected early, the five-year breast cancer survival rate is 98%. Statistics further indicate that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, exceeded only by lung cancer, and one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in their lifetime.

Extended Tuesday and Thursday hours last from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call (833) 330-7394 or visit www.sanramonmedctr.com to RSVP.