BreastScreen NSW Greater Western’s mobile breast screening unit will visit Mudgee from November 7 through to mid-January 2017 and local women are encouraged to make a booking to have a mammogram while it is in town.
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Pap tests are also available at Mudgee Community Health every Thursday.
Mudgee Health Service Manager, Judith Ford said it’s wonderful that local women can get a free mammogram and pap smear locally without having to travel.
“It is vital for all women aged 50 – 74 to have a mammogram every two years at a BreastScreen NSW clinic,” Mrs Ford said.
“It is a free service that only takes 20 minutes and it could save your life.
“Women aged between 18 and 69 who have ever been sexually active also need to have a pap test every two years to ensure any abnormal cells are detected early.”
Mrs Ford encourages local women to make the most of this opportunity while the BreastScreen van is in Mudgee to make a booking and be screened and to also book in a pap test at the same time.
“Early detection is the key to improving the survival rates of both breast and cervical cancer and mammograms and pap smears detect cancers before any symptoms are apparent.”
The mobile Breast Screen Unit is one of 11 upgraded vans in the state which were rolled out last year to help support early detection for the one in eight women in NSW affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.
Enhancements in the new vehicles include upgraded digital mammography equipment; a secure wireless communication system for instant transfer of diagnostic images to the state-wide BreastScreen service for analysis by radiologists and breast physicians; and improved airconditioning and wheelchair accessibility.
Mrs Ford said the upgraded van is a great improvement because it uses the same technology and provides the same service as the BreastScreen service in Dubbo, without the need to travel.
“It's really important that women visit the van while it is here," she said.
The van will be located at Mudgee Showground, 96 Douro Street from November 7 through to mid-January, 2017.
.Bookings for BreastScreen can be made by phoning 13 20 50 or calling into the van. To book a pap test, please call Mudgee Community Health on (02) 6378 6236.
The van will also make its first visit to Gulgong from October 25.