The installation of a second digital mammography screening machine at Essendon BreastScreen will provide an additional 150 appointments per week and reduce wait times for local women.
BreastScreen Victoria CEO Vicki Pridmore said about 10,000 women visit the clinic each year and the additional mammography screening machine will significantly boost capacity.
“It’s a fantastic thing that so many women are deciding to make breast screening a priority and booking in for an appointment. This means that our one machine at Essendon BreastScreen was getting very heavily booked,” said Ms Pridmore.
“The additional machine will provide 150 additional appointments per week for women living in the North West, Flemington, Ascot Vale, Keilor East, Avondale Heights, Pascoe Vale South, Keilor, Taylors Lakes, Moonee Ponds, Essendon, Niddrie and Brunswick West.”
Regular screening mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, before any symptoms are noticed and when treatment is likely to be most successful.
Essendon breast cancer survivor Sarah Diggle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy and has some words of wisdom for other women.
“As soon as you can, book your mammogram appointment. Don’t put it off, make it part of your health routine,” said Ms Diggle.
