By Melissa Coleman
In the past two years the mobile Toowoomba BreastScreen van has screened more than 2700 women in the Southern Downs locations of Warwick, Stanthorpe and Allora.
The BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service is celebrating its 30th birthday this week, after opening in 1992.
And as October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month, a friendly reminder about the importance of regular breast checks is extended to women.
Women aged from 40 years and over are eligible to receive a free breast screen through the service, with no doctor referral necessary.
This is the best way to detect breast cancer early – well before you or the doctor can see or feel any changes.
Medical Director at BreastScreen Toowoomba Dr Heather Jeffery said breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for Australian women.
“Sadly, one-in-seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their life.”
The breakdown of statistics show that in a two year cycle 1 557 woman from Warwick attended the state-of-the-art breast screening van, 1 053 from Stanthorpe and 105 from Allora.
“Every one of those breast screens is so important to ensure the best health outcomes for our local women,” she said.
BreastScreen van will next be in Stanthorpe from Tuesday 6 December – 9 December 2022 and in Warwick from Tuesday 13 December – Friday 13 January 2023
The van will also be travelling to Pittsworth, Millmerran, Goondiwindi and Dalby in early-mid 2023, dates yet to be confirmed.
For more information about BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service or to make an appointment visit www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au/ or phone 13 20 50.
