ESTEVAN - The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency's (SCA) mobile mammography bus is currently in Estevan, giving women over the age of 50 the opportunity to be checked for breast cancer.
The bus has been at the Hotel Estevan's parking lot in east Estevan since Jan. 2 and will remain until Feb. 16. Laurie Pearce, an early detection co-ordinator with the agency's breast cancer screening program, said all of their appointments for January are booked, but there are still some available for February.
People can book an appointment by calling 1-855-584-8228. The bus is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and for a brief period on Friday mornings. The bus technicians are from Saskatoon and travel home for weekends.
Pearce is pleased with the response from people in the Estevan area.
"Women get their invite letters about six weeks prior to our visit, and most women, they've been on the bus before, and they know approximately when it's coming again," said Pearce.
The SCA usually has a very good response in terms of filling all appointments in Estevan.
"It helps us determine how long we should be in the community," said Pearce.
Pearce said a screening mammogram can detect changes in a woman's breast before she can see or feel them. She compared the test to going to the dentist or an optometrist when it comes to a healthy lifestyle.
"Screening mammograms are for healthy, well women, so if women are experiencing a symptom of [breast cancer], they would need to go to see their doctor or their nurse practitioner to discuss those concerns, but if they're feeling healthy and well, then they can certainly book with us," said Pearce.
"It's self-referral by calling our toll-free number. They don't need a physician or a nurse practitioner's referral to book with us. And it's a quick test. It takes about 20 minutes in total for the whole process, from the time they get on the bus to the time they leave."
People are appreciative about the efforts of the agency and the people who work in the screening bus.
"Women are very happy to be able to have this test done closer to home, just like any test they might need, rather than having to travel."
The bus goes out to over 42 sites in the province, appearing in communities every second year. It comes to Estevan in even-numbered years. Pearce said this is a program provided by the cancer agency for many years.
The Energy City is one of several stops for the bus in southeast Saskatchewan to start the year. It will also be at the Carnduff Park from Feb. 20 to March 6, and the Carlyle Curling Rink from March 6-28. According to the SCA's website, the Carlyle location is new for this year.
