BreastScreen Victoria has rolled their mobile breast screening bus into the grounds of Princes Gardens, Prahran serving as a timely reminder for women to get their breasts checked.
According to BreastScreen Victoria Communications Coordinator Alicia Jennings, the mobile screening service, which previously has travelled around more rural and regional areas of the state, has arrived into the City of Stonnington as a result of the municipality’s poor screening numbers.
“Stonnington is a particular project where we are trying to increase screenings in certain areas where we may notice that numbers are a bit lower,” Ms Jennings said.
Ms Jennings believes having this mammogram service in a central location allows a sense of convenience to those women who are busy working and time poor.
“It’s a pretty simple process…your breast screen takes about 10 minutes or less,” Ms Jennings said.
If you’re unsure what to expect watch this video for some more information. The mobile screening screening services are run the same way as an actual clinic. Source: BreastScreen Victoria (Youtube)
As someone who personally receives her free screening every two years, City of Stonnington Councillor Marcia Griffin sees the importance women in leadership have in helping to promote health services provided in their local area.
“It’s absolutely critical… I just want to encourage women… It’s critical that they don’t forget their health,” Councillor Griffin said.
According to the councillor the visibility of the bright pink bus in a very accessible area of her municipality, located adjacent to the popular shopping and dining district of Chapel Street, is a visual reminder to local women to get their breasts checked.
“Whilst it’s here women should take the opportunity and have the screening…it’s a reminder seeing it there,” Councillor Griffin said.
With 1 in 8 Australian women developing breast cancer by the time they are 85 and an estimated 3138 Australian women dying from the disease in 2018, it’s no surprise BreastScreen Victoria are stressing the importance of getting your breasts checked every two years.
“We encourage people to see it as a part of their health and well-being and that it (mammogram) gives peace of mind,” Ms Jennings said.
Through identifying that 75% of Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50, BreastScreen Victoria’s main target of their approximate 265 085 screenings each year is the 50- 74 age bracket.
“The older you are, the risk does increase… and women between 50 and 74 have been identified as most at risk,” Ms Jennings said.
And whilst not receiving an official invitation from BreastScreen Victoria, if you’re a woman aged between 40 and 49 you are eligible for a free mammogram and are encouraged to contact your GP or visit any BreastScreen Victoria clinic, including the mobile screening van, to arrange your free check.
If you’re due for your two-yearly check-up and are in the City of Stonnington’s Princes Gardens, you have until May 17 to visit the mobile screening bus before it moves onto its next location.
Written by Victoria Eastoe.
Just Vic Things 