The BreastScreen NSW mobile screening van will be revisiting Canowindra from the 18th to 24th May.
The BreastScreen unit will be providing FREE screening mammograms to all women aged 50-74 years old. It has been 2 years since the last visit in 2015, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity and get your breasts checked.
Local women are encouraged to make a booking to have a mammogram while the mobile unit is parked at the Canowindra Showground from 18th to 24th May 2017.
1 in 8 women in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. For women over the age of 50, a screening mammogram is the best way of finding breast cancer early. Breast screening can find cancers before they can be felt or noticed. Despite these figures, only around 1 in 2 women in NSW are receiving their regular mammogram through BreastScreen NSW.
Women in the Western NSW Local Health District are being urged to have their regu- lar breast screen even if they have no family history of breast cancer, as 9 in 10 women diagnosed with the disease have no hereditary links. This means that it is absolutely vital that all women aged 50-74 receive their regular two-yearly mammo- gram. It is a free service that only takes 20 minutes and it could save your life.
BreastScreen NSW Health Promotion Officer, Gillian MacSmith said ‘We had a wonderful response from the Canowindra community to our mobile screening van’s first visit in 2015, and we hope that even more women will have a screening mammogram while the van is at the showground in May this year.”
A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts for women who have not no- ticed any symptoms or changes in their breasts. Your appointment will only take up to 20 minutes and the female staff will explain what will happen throughout the whole process. After the x-rays have been taken a doctor will check the x-rays and the results will be sent back to you within 2 weeks of your appointment.
A simple check could save your life, a family members or a friend so take advan- tage of this free service coming to town.
Breast cancer is a collection of cells in the breast tissue that grow in an uncontrolled way. If caught early and treatment is undergone you can return to normal life.
Signs and symptoms to look for include: a lump, change in shape or size, nipple discharge, changes in breast skin and unu- sual pain. 9 out of 10 breast changes are not cancer but it is important to see a doctor to be sure.
Be sure not to miss the free checkup from the 18th-29th May. The van will be located at the Canowindra Show ground and book- ings are recommended.