There's a medical service in Prince George where wait-time has been reduced to zero from two months.
The Prince George Mammography Screening Program, designed to reduce deaths from breast cancer, is being underused by the women it's designed to help, said Fred McLeod, office manager at Phoenix Medical Imaging.
He said the common reason for not having mammography screenings is fear that the short screening procedure is painful.
"As the more than 286,000 B.C. women using the program can attest, it may be uncomfortable, but it is tolerable. After all, the squeeze lasts only a couple of seconds and women are encouraged to tell the technologist about discomfort so the pressure can be adjusted," said McLeod.
Kathy Hauer, senior clerk at the clinic, said appointments at one time were backed up two months, but now, with additional technologists available, there is virtually no waiting time.
"Women can have an appointment right away," said Hauer, adding, it's disappointing that only about 50 per cent of women eligible for the screening are using it.
She said women eligible for annual mammography screenings are those 40 to 79 years who are not pregnant or breast feeding. They cannot have had breast cancer in the past or any breast problems like lumps or secretion at the present time. Mammography screenings can only be done once a year, and the woman must be a B.C. resident with a B.C. doctor.
The program is available without a doctor's referral to all B.C. Women just have to call 250-565-6816 for an appointment. Visit the website: www.smpbc.ca for more information about the program.
"Don't fear the squeeze, it could be a life-saver," said McLeod.
