Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Breast Screening Unit Arrives In Town:
SOPHIE Pays Visit To County Hospital

Dr. Barry MacLeod, Morris Haugg and Barb Goit - Executive Director of the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation (they initiated the project)

Barry, Carl Ferguson - Manager of Diagnostic Imaging for Health District 4, and Morris Haugg in front of the van which transports the unit.

The Cumberland Health Care Foundation has lent its support to Sophie (Sophisticated Imaging Equipment) The Mobile Breast Screening Unit visited the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre on Tuesday, to say thanks to those who contributed, as well as provide services the residents of Cumberland County. This imaging equipment will travel throughout Cumberland, Colchester and Pictou counties, as well as the Municipality of East Hants providing mammograms to community residents.

"The Foundation is exceptionally pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile initiative", said Jodi Swan, Managing Director. "This service allows all residents the opportunity to be pro-active about their breast health". The technicians on site pointed out that breast cancer is not simply a female issue, but one which affects all people.

Beginning in the early spring, a mobile mammography unit will visit communities throughout Colchester, Cumberland and Pictou counties and the Municipality of East Hants.

It is estimated that one out of eight women in Nova Scotia will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Very early detection of breast cancer is leading to improved outcomes for many women and improves the chance of a cure. According to Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program guidelines, women aged 40-49 should be screened annually and women aged 50-69 should have mammography screening at one to two year intervals if they are in good health. In 2001, the program screened more than 35,000 women.

In the future, people will be able to contact the site below and make arrangements for their appointments. www.breastscreening.ns.ca