New Digital Mammography vehicles will be making a stop at Xat’sull First Nation to provide breast cancer screening.
Jannette Sam, with the BC Cancer Agency says mobile programs have been in place since 1990.
“Last year we did over 20,000 exams with the three mobiles that we have. We’ve just gone through the process of updating the mobiles so that they are now beautiful new coaches where women can actually walk on board and have a digital mammogram.”
Sam says the new coaches were blessed by a First Nation Elder in Vancouver to recognize traditional First Nation protocols and create a level of acceptance within the community.
They’re scheduled to arrive at the Xat’sull First Nation on February 19th.
Despite research having shown a 25 per cent reduction in deaths from breast cancer among women who receive a mammography, only half of eligible B.C. women are taking advantage of the free service regularly.