Everyone knows about the man van which is mobile testing for men's cancer, but Screen Test has also been bringing mobile Mammogram testing to rural communities for over 25 years.

Screen Test was started in 1991, and Health Promotions Facilitator Harmony McRae says it was created to address accessibility needs in rural communities.

"This was a response to a realization that women in rural communities didn't have screening mammograms and didn't really have great access, which meant a lot of women weren't getting screened." McRae says, "As a result many women were getting those late stage breast cancers, so this program was started to serve those rural women, and since then it's grown and we see women in 122 communities across Alberta."

Screen test has been coming to Nanton for many years.

Their last few stops were High River last November, and Nanton last May.

Screen Test will be taking over the Nanton Baptist Church from June 25 - June 27 2019.

McRae says there are still appointments available and ladies who want to book one can call 1-800-667-0604 toll free across Alberta.

Women between the ages of 50-74 should be tested every two years, but women in their 40's can get screened with a doctors referral, usually if there's a case of family history of breast cancer.

McRae says mammograms testing is very important and actually has helped in increasing breast cancer survival rates.

"Testing needs to be done regularly, it's really for women with healthy breasts that aren't having any problems. Screening is looking for a problem before it becomes noticeable." McRae adds "One thing you might not know, is that Mammograms can find breast cancer about two to three years before it can physically felt, so when we find it early, the treatments are often easier and survival rates are much higher."

About 90 per cent of women survive breast cancer, but usually when it's detected early says McRae.

Mammograms have a myth of being uncomfortable and painful but It's nothing to be scared of or worried about, says McRae.

"When you come we'll bring you up a few stairs and ask some questions about your health and family history, that takes five minutes. After that our all female staff and technicians, will escort you to a private exam room."

McRae says some women say they feel discomfort, but only for a few seconds.

"They do get squished for about ten seconds, while the machine takes some pictures. All together four pictures are taken, with two on each side."

The entire process she says, takes about ten minutes with women receiving their results in the mail two to three weeks after.

The staff are trained to make the process as comfortable as possible, providing only female technicians and quick but caring, in and out service.

"This service is run by women for women, and we do have one man who works in our Edmonton office, but he's not on the trailer." McRae says "This service is a women focused service and the aim is to make women feel as comfortable as possible."

Screening for Life with Screen Test will also be in Claresholm July 2-6, Vulcan July 8-10, and then in Black Diamond July 11-13.

 

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