The B.C. Cancer Society recently invested more than $1.8 million to upgrade three mobile units that travel to rural communities across the province to provide services as part of the Screening Mammography Program. One of those mobile units visited Osoyoos last week as dozens of local women signed up for breast screening procedures. The mobile units traditionally visits Osoyoos and the South Okanagan three or four times each year. (Keith Lacey photo)
Women who live in small towns like Osoyoos are going to benefit greatly from the latest technology upgrades being offered through the Screening Mammography Program offered by Canadian Cancer Agency.
The agency recently invested more than $1.8 million to purchase three new mobile units (that resemble large moving trucks) and all three trucks are loaded with the latest in breast screening technology, said Janette Sam, operations director for the agency’s Screening Mammography Program.
One of the mobile units was in Osoyoos this past weekend as dozens of local women signed up for breast exams in the mobile unit that was parked near Shoppers Drug Mart.
“The upgrades to our mobile units is very impressive,” said Sam. “They are actually like mini hospitals. Complete with waiting rooms, dressing rooms and the very latest breast screening technology.
“The new mobile units will ensure that women across B.C. will be receiving the very best screening mammography.”
Screening results used to have to be sent to reporting centers for further examination, but the quality of the images with the new equipment is so vivid that technologists can make determinations on site, she said.
Every single appointment was booked over the three days the mobile unit was in Osoyoos this past weekend, but the unit will return soon and anyone who couldn’t book an appointment last week can do so by calling a 1-800 number, said Sam.
“We usually visit Osoyoos and Oliver three or four times a year,” she said. “The mobile unit that was in Osoyoos will be in Oliver, Summerland and Peachland this week.
“I would expect we will return to Osoyoos once again in the next couple of months.”
The mobile unit that travels across the Southern Interior is operational 12 months of the year and is operated by two well-trained technologists, one who is licensed to drive the unit, said Sam.
One mobile unit covers the northern region of the province and the third is operational across the Gulf Islands.
The Screening Mammography Program has been offered by the cancer agency since 1988 and mobile units were first introduced to smaller communities in 1990, she said.
“We are able to provide screening services for more than 20,000 women per year because of our mobile units,” she said. “The program has been an incredible success and allowed women from smaller communities to access breast screening services in their own communities rather than having to travel to the major centers across the province.”
There has been 25 per cent reduction in deaths related to breast cancer since the mobile program started 25 years ago, she said.
“Early detection remains the biggest key to preventing deaths from breast cancer,” she said. “Our mobile units play a significant role in ensuring early detection for thousands of women across the province.”
The new technology being used in the mobile units works much faster and this allows the technicians to provide services to more clients in each community they visit, said Sam.
“The technology we’re using is state-of-the-art and helps us provide services to more people.”
Sam said it’s always prudent to book an appointment in advance. Osoyoos and area women can book their appointment for the next time the mobile visits town by calling 1-800-663-9203.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
