Mobile mammography trailer returns to Langdon

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Screen Test program returned to Langdon, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 to provide screening mammograms to eligible individuals largely between 45 and 74.

Screenings were offered at no cost to patients, but did ask that they were scheduled ahead of time rather than having folks come for drop ins. 

“What we do with our screen test mobile is we provide screening mammography, so we are screening for breast cancer, and with our mobiles, we drive them – we have two and they travel throughout the province, just providing service to people who may not have access to other places or other centres,” said Joan Hauber, manager for Screen Test. “Our aim is to make sure that everybody, no matter where they live, has the same access to the same service.”

The mobile screen test program began in 1991 and has been travelling throughout Alberta ever since. 

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast and is the best way to find breast cancer early when treatment is more likely to be successful.

The mobile trailers aim to visit each community along their routes at least once annually. Hauber explained for patients within the targeted demographic, it is recommended to be screened once every two years at least.

“We are seeing people coming to the mobile and they do tell us that if we hadn’t been out there or if they would have had to have traveled, they would not have had a mammogram done, so I think we are just seeing anecdotally through our clients that we are making an impact on some of the rural and other locations that we go to,” said Hauber. 

“When we do find a breast cancer early, there are more options for treatment. Those treatments are often more effective and there is a much better chance of survival. We have seen that over the years that we and others have been doing screening mammograms that we are not necessarily seeing fewer cancers, but we are seeing cancers caught at an earlier stage.”

In addition to cisgender women, the mobile screening trailers will also see transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary individuals provided they meet certain criteria.

Those who fall outside of the targeted demographic for self-referral are asked to be referred for screening by their regular or family physician.

“When you find it early, it tends to be smaller, maybe not as invasive as if it has had a chance to grow. When you find it early, there is a better chance that treatments cure it or prevent it from further spreading,” said Hauber. 

Depending on the individual, a physician may recommend annual screenings as opposed to once every two years. 

The size of a given community will often determine how long a trailer remains parked there for. Dates can range from a few days to around two weeks in a given location. 

The trailer was in Strathmore from Oct. 18 to 25, and is due to return on Nov. 10, however as of the publication of this article, bookings have been filled. Those looking to still potentially take the opportunity to get screened are still encouraged to call 1-800-667-0604 to be admitted in the case of a cancellation or to be added to a waiting list.