General News
21 March, 2024
New mammography unit to provide breast screening here in Maryborough
In a historic first for women’s health in the Central Goldfields, Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) has partnered with BreastScreen Victoria to open a permanent breast cancer screening clinic at the Maryborough Hospital. The...
In a historic first for women’s health in the Central Goldfields, Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS) has partnered with BreastScreen Victoria to open a permanent breast cancer screening clinic at the Maryborough Hospital.
The state-of-the-art mammography unit is expected to provide free breast screens to around 1000 local women every year, with the service recommended every two years for women aged between 50 and 74.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, with the Cancer Council reporting it accounts for over 13 percent of all cancer diagnoses, with women aged 50 to 74 accounting for over 60 percent of diagnoses.
The same age group’s participation in breast cancer screenings in the Central Goldfields is below 50 percent, lower than the state average.
MDHS CEO Nickola Allan said she is confident the new facility will help participation rates climb to the state-wide target of 55 percent and help save lives.
“It has been a day I have been dreaming of to be honest — it has been six years of conversations and planning, so for me it has been a real journey and I am so glad that we are here,” she said.
“This facility is so important, it means there is no barrier of distance, you can book it in when you’re in town, there is no requirement for travel, no requirement for waiting two years for the mobile screening service to come back, it means you can access it when you want it.
“I know from reading social media and having conversations in the supermarket that there have already been bookings across the community for their mammogram which is amazing.
“We want to be able to hit that 55 percent screening rate and I think we will be well on our way to reaching that.”
The Maryborough community helped raise nearly $250,000 for the new clinic through various events and community initiatives.
Ms Allan said she has been humbled by the community’s contributions to the project, and the positive reception to the news.
“I think without the community and their fundraising support ,we wouldn’t be standing here right now,” she said.
“We are forever grateful for our community’s generosity that they have provided [which] has ultimately allowed us to launch this service with BreastScreen Victoria.”
A key member of the fundraising effort was Maryborough resident Nick Weaver, who was motivated to raise $100,000 to provide local cancer support following the passing of his father, John Weaver from pancreatic liver cancer in 2017.
Mr Weaver’s efforts raised nearly double his original goal ($190,000) for the MDHS Oncology unit, and said the new clinic makes his endeavours all worth it.
“It is pretty emotional to see it open, it was a very emotional day when I had to write my speech [and] bringing back all the memories, but seeing it is just amazing,” he said.
“It is just great to see all the hard work come to fruition and it obviously is going to help so many women and help save lives.
“The spirit of the community and just wanting to give and knowing that it is going back to our community which means a lot to everybody has made it more special.
“I just really wanted to thank the Maryborough community for their support — throughout all of the events we have held and all the people that have been involved in it has just been incredible.”
A resident who will benefit immensely from the new clinic is Rechelle Faraon, who is invited to have a free breast screen each year due to her family history of breast cancer.
During her speech at the official opening, Ms Faraon expressed her gratitude in being the first client at the new facility and said it has made a stressful experience very convenient.
“When I received an email from BreastScreen Victoria in February regarding my annual check, I was surprised that there was a new breast screening service in Maryborough, so I booked in right away,” she said.
“Usually I have to travel all the way to Ballarat which is around 45 minutes away from me. It’s very convenient now, it saves me all the cost, time and effort.
“I was truly impressed by the professionalism and courtesy of the entire staff. From the moment I walked in, the receptionist and staff technicians made me feel comfy and cared for.
“I am perfectly sure everyone will give the same positive feedback now that breast screening is just a few seconds of online booking and a few minutes of travel for all women like me who need this service.”
For women between the ages of 40 to 49 and over the age of 74, a doctor’s referral is needed before booking a free breast screening. Women under 40 are not eligible for this clinic as it is unable to consistently detect breast cancer in younger breast tissue.
For more information, or to book an appointment, visit breast screen.org.au or call 13 20 50.