Mammogram Hotline Begins Operations

Women looking for a quality mammogram near their homes can now call a government hot line for help.

Beginning Monday, the Cancer Information Service will provide the names and locations of facilities that have been certified by the Food and Drug Administration as capable of performing quality mammograms to detect breast cancer.

Women can call 1-800-4CANCER on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT to find the nearest certified mammography facility.

Last year, the FDA began certifying the nation’s 10,300 mammography facilities to ensure their equipment is sound, the physicians and other workers are properly trained and that women are properly followed up for care.