Residents of Valemount and Clearwater will soon have access to mobile breast cancer screening, as BC Cancer's screening coach makes stops in both communities later this month.
The mobile mammography unit will be parked at the Best Western in Valemount from Aug. 25 to 29, and at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3.
The service is available at no cost to eligible residents of BC, including most women, and many Two-Spirit, transgender and gender-diverse individuals aged 40 and older who have no symptoms.
Appointments can be booked by calling 1-800-663-9203. More information is available at ScreeningBC.ca.
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in British Columbia, with about 3,500 people receiving a diagnosis each year. Regular screening can detect cancer early, often before symptoms appear or the disease has spread.
“Mammograms save lives by detecting breast cancers early, often before they have spread and when more treatment options are available,” said John Lowrie, mobile operations manager for the breast screening program.
The mobile program plays a vital role in reaching rural and remote communities. Each year, three state-of-the-art coaches travel to more than 170 locations across the province, including over 40 Indigenous communities. The units are wheelchair-accessible and offer private exam rooms and a comfortable waiting area.
About 10 per cent of all screening mammograms in BC are performed through mobile clinics.
A typical screening mammogram involves four images — two of each breast — and can detect cancer up to three years before it can be felt. People aged 40 to 74 with a first-degree relative who has had breast cancer are advised to get screened annually. Those without a family history are encouraged to book an exam every two years.
