WESTLOCK — Screen Test, a free service provided by Alberta Health Services that offers screening mammograms will be in Westlock Dec. 6-12.
The unit has been coming to Westlock annually since January 1997 and travels to 122 communities across Alberta. The unit has seen an average of 180 local women over the past five years.
“Breast cancer is more common than most people think. The statistics in Alberta state that one in seven women would have breast cancer in their lifetime,” said screen test health promotion facilitator Chidinma Okoli, noting the impact mammograms are having today. “According to the Canadian Cancer Society about 88 percent of women are now surviving breast cancer. Having routine mammograms are proven to be the rnost effective way to find breast cancer early — when the tumours are too small before symptoms develop. At this stage there are higher chances of survival, better health outcomes and more treatment options.”
The mobile unit is equipped with a digital mammography machine and is reaching women who may not have an opportunity to travel outside of Westlock for the often lifesaving exam.
“It provides screening mammograms to women in the convenience of their own community — they don’t have to travel,” explained Okoli. “We’re just trying to eliminate some of the barriers to screening.”
Changes to breast cancer screening eligibility were made earlier this year by the Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) Committee and were brought about after an extensive review of new, available evidence. Alberta Health Services announced in late October that is has lowered the recommended age for (biennial) breast cancer screening.
The recommended age for average-risk women was lowered to 45 from 50. Women ages 45 to 74 are now advised to have a screening mammogram every two years or as recommended by their health care provider. According to the most recent statistics more than 240 Alberta women between the ages of 45 and 49 were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.
“Studies have shown that women in this age group, screening mammograms are most beneficial for them,” said Okoli, noting feedback from residents that have used the mobile mammography unit has been positive.
“Most of them would not have been screened if not for the mobile unit. It just shows how important having this unit in the community is,” she said.
The mobile mammography unit is booking screen tests by appointment only and those wishing to book a test can call 1-800-667-0604 or visit www.screeningforlife.ca.
