Mobile breast cancer screening coming to Trail
By Contributor
BC Cancer’s breast screening program offers no-cost screening mammograms to eligible people in BC. Screening mammograms are available to most women, and many Two-Spirit, trans and gender-diverse individuals, 40 years and older, who have no symptoms.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers found in BC with around 3,500 receiving a breast cancer diagnosis each year. Regular screening mammograms can find breast cancer early, often before it has spread.
About 10 per cent of all screening mammograms performed in BC are done on the mobile units. Three mobile screening coaches visit more than 170 rural and remote communities across BC each year, including over 40 Indigenous communities. The vehicles provide state-of-the-art digital screening mammograms, are wheelchair-accessible, and feature a spacious waiting area and comfortable private examination room.
BC Cancer’s breast cancer screening coach will be in Trail on the following dates:
July 17 – 19
Waneta Plaza, 8100 BC-3B
Trail, BC, V1R 4N7
* The mobile mammography coach will be located around the back of Waneta Plaza behind the north side of the mall.
To book a screening mammogram call 1-800-663-9203. More information about booking an appointment, including getting connected to a primary care provider to support screening, can be found here: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/breast/get-screened
A screening mammogram consists of four images (two of each breast) that look for hidden cancer in those who are healthy with no symptoms and have never had breast cancer. Mammograms can usually find lumps two to three years before a person or their primary care provider can feel them.
“Mammograms save lives by detecting breast cancers early, often before they have spread and when more treatment options are available,” says John Lowrie, mobile operations manager for the breast screening program. “More people in BC are being diagnosed with breast cancer, but fewer are dying from the disease. This is in large part due to early detection and treatment.”
Eligible individuals age 40 to 74 who have a parent, full-sibling or child with breast cancer are recommended to receive a mammogram every year. Eligible individuals age 40 to 74 without a family history of breast cancer should schedule a mammogram every two years.
For more information, visit www.ScreeningBC.ca/breast.
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