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12/12: Smithers Joins the Screening Mammography Program of BC
Starting January 10, 2007
The Screening Mammography Program of BC (SMPBC) is pleased to introduce a new fixed location in at Bulkley Valley Hospital in Smithers.
Bulkley Valley Hospital has been performing doctor-referred screening mammograms for women since 1990. Now that the hospital has joined the SMPBC, eligible women in Smithers and surrounding communities can book appointments for screening mammograms without a doctor’s referral.
The centre recommends that eligible women between the ages of 40 to 79 call the toll-free number: 1-800-663-9203 now to book an appointment.
In 2005, the Ministry of Health invested more than $376,000 to replace a mammogram unit and processor at the hospital.
“That investment, together with the opening of this Centre, means women in the Smithers region now have better access to mammograms without the extra step of a doctor’s referral, streamlining the process and providing women with quicker access to this free service,” said Health Minister George Abbott.
Since the biggest risk factor for breast cancer is age, it is important for women to join the program and receive regular screening mammograms.
“We want women to take advantage of the program so that they are regularly screened,” says Carol Anderson, Radiology Technologist at Bulkley Valley Hospital. “With this centre, once a woman receives her first mammogram, she will receive regular reminders when it is time to be screened again.”
The Bulkley Valley Hospital has a dedicated oncologist and oncology nurse on staff, which provides a continuum of care to cancer patients within the Smithers community.
The province-wide screening mammography service was established in 1988 through the BC Cancer Agency. Its purpose is to reduce breast cancer mortality through early detection. A screening mammography is the best way to detect early breast cancer.
The SMPBC has 38 centres across BC, including three mobile vans that travel to a number of remote communities. More than 256,000 screens are performed annually and all results are put into a provincial database for easy tracking (to send reminders) and monitoring (to follow changes).
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