Mobile Breast Screening Service Enhances Women's Health
Rural women will have the same access to breast screening services as urban women thanks to the availability of new
mobile breast screening units, Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said today at the launch of a new unit for the Palmerston
North area.
"Last year, I was involved in the launch of BreastScreen Aotearoa. Now I'm pleased to announce this further enhancement
of the service following successful pilot programmes in Hamilton and Otago," Mrs Shipley said.
"I implore all 50 to 64-year-old women to get along to one of these mobile units or to their local breast screening
service and get tested for breast cancer. It could save your life."
Mrs Shipley launched the mobile breast screening unit at the Rangitikei Health Centre in Marton. The unit is operated by
BreastScreen Coast to Coast, a service run by Palmerston North Hospital. Other units will be operating in Auckland,
Hamilton, Hutt Valley, Christchurch and Otago.
The breast screening programme provides free two-yearly mammograms to women aged between 50 and 64 (about 250,000 women)
who do not have signs of breast cancer. The service aims to have 70 per cent of the target group enrolled in the
programme within the next five years.
Nearly 10 per cent of women in New Zealand develop breast cancer, and approximately 580 women die from the disease each
year.
"I urge women to be more conscious of their health needs and to use the services available to them. It is so important
to detect problems early, giving people a greater chance to survive," Mrs Shipley said.
Information on Breast Screen Aotearoa is available free on 0800 270 200.
ENDS