BreastScreen Queensland's state-of the-art mobile screening van will visit Boulia on June 10-11.
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The visit follows the recent progressive resumption of screening services across the state that were suspended temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During its visit, the mobile screening van will be taking advantage of the upgraded hard-stand facilities at the brand new $7.24 million Boulia Primary Health Care Centre and Wellbeing Centre completed late last year.
BreastScreen Townsville Senior Mobile Radiographer Jean Venten said the breastscreen van team was keen to see the new facilities available at Boulia.
The van will be located just outside the primary health care centre during its visit.
Ms Venten said she urged women in the Boulia and surrounding region to take advantage of the van's visit and book in for a screen.
"A breast screen is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, well before a woman or her doctor can feel anything,'' Ms Venten said.
"However, if a woman does experience any breast symptoms, they should always consult their doctor as soon as possible.''
Ms Venten said women seeking a breast screen could be confident all infection control measures were being taken to ensure their safety while undergoing their breast screen during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
"The wellbeing of women and our staff is always our top priority and BreastScreen Queensland is implementing a range of strategies to minimise and address risk from COVID-19 for women who attend for breast screening and also for our staff,'' she said.
"There will be increased precautions and social distancing but with minimal impact on clients.
"We are not offering online booking like we normally do because we specifically want women to phone for an appointment so we can take them through an initial personal health screening questionnaire over the phone before we book them in.
"When they arrive at the mobile van, they will be screened again for health purposes before undertaking their procedure. In addition, we have structured our screening days to allow for frequent cleaning and sanitising of the van and breast screening equipment at regular intervals throughout the day."
There will be a limit on the number of people allowed within the van at any one time to ensure proper social distancing.
Ms Venten said the risk of breast cancer increased with age.
"That's why we encourage all women 50 to 74 to have a breast screen every two years. Women in their 40s and 75 years and over are also eligible to join the program,'' she said.
"On average, one in eight Queensland women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and, of those, 90 per cent will have no family history of the illness. Early detection could save your life. So, if you haven't been keeping up-to-date with important health checks, now's the time to do so."
A doctor's referral is not required to attend the mobile screening service, phone BreastScreen Queensland on 13 20 50 to make an appointment today.
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