Mobile breast screening unit rolls into Kerikeri

In July 2010, New Zealand's first digital mobile breast screening unit will be rolling in to Kerikeri.

Commissioned by BreastScreen Waitemata Northland, the 12-metre long tow able unit is the latest in truck-building, digital x-ray, and satellite technology.  It features two change areas, a reception area, a private waiting area and a screening area.

BreastScreen Waitemata Northland and Mauri Ora Breast Clinical operations manger Barbara Miller says this new technology will help save the lives of women living in rural Northland.

"Breast screening is vital for the early detection of breast cancer.  Eligible women aged 45-69 are entitled to a free mammogram every two years."

"This new technology means the screening process will be more hassle-free for Kerikeri as we are able to capture and check the quality of the image on screen instantly before the women even leaves the unit," says Mrs Miller.

Current technology uses x-ray film and there is a delay between the time when a woman has her mammogram and when the film is developed, if there is a problem with the image quality, like blurring, the woman may need to be recalled for repeat films.  Mammograms on x-ray film also have to be developed and physically transported.

"The combination of new digital equipment and satellite technology in the unit also means images can be securely ‘beamed' back to base for radiologist to interpret."

In 2009, approx 1100 women in Kerikeri were screened at a fixed site utilising current technology.  With the changeover to the new mobile unit in July and having increased capacity, BreastScreen Waitemata Northland plans to screen 1700 Kerikeri women in 2010.

The new unit will travel around Northland providing a breast screening facility at a variety of locations.  Eligible women can call 0800 270 200 to enrol in the free screening programme or check the schedule of the mobile unit operating in their area.

More information is available on the Breast Screen Aotearoa website: http://www.breastscreen.govt.nz/

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For further information, please contact:

Fleur King, Public Relations Manager
Northland District Health Board
Phone:    (09) 430 4101 ext 3315

Questions and answers:

1.       What is BreastScreen Waitemata Northland (BSWN)?

BreastScreen Waitemata Northland is the provider of the free national breast screening programme (BreastScreen Aotearoa) for women living in:

• The Waitemata Region
  Waitemata includes Waitakere City, North Shore City and the Rodney District.
  
  
• The Northland Region
  Northland includes the Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara districts.

2.       How common are digital mobile breastscreening units overseas?

Current mobile breast screening units are commonly used overseas and New Zealand currently has 11 such units. However, digital breast screening units are not as common overseas and the new BreastScreen Waitemata Northland digital unit is the first in New Zealand.

3.       What percentage of BreastScreen Waitemata Northland's screening equipment is digital?

When BreastScreen Waitemata Northland began in February 2006, its screening technology comprised 25 per cent digital equipment and 75 per cent current equipment. By the time the new mobile facility begins operating in January, the service will be 87 per cent digital.

4.       Who is supplying the digital equipment for the new unit?

GE Healthcare are the suppliers chosen by BreastScreen Waitemata Northland to provide the digital equipment that will be used inside the new unit.

GE has also carried out a ‘validation process' to ensure the unit is ‘fit for purpose'. This involved assessing the impact of elements such as air conditioning and vibration on the digital technology.

5.       What are mammograms?

Mammograms are breast x-rays. During a mammogram, the medical radiation technologist (radiographer) takes the x-rays by placing each breast in turn between two plates on an x-ray machine. The plates hold the breast firmly for a few seconds while the x-rays are taken. It does not harm the breasts. Mammograms look for breast lumps and changes in breast tissue that may develop into problems over time. They can find small lumps or changes that a health care practitioner or woman cannot feel when doing a physical breast examination.  Breast lumps or growths can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). 

Source: http://www.breastscreen.govt.nz/

6.       What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignant area in the breast. When it spreads into the surrounding breast tissue, it is called invasive breast cancer. There are a number of types of breast cancer and how they develop is not completely understood. Some breast cancers have a better chance of successful treatment than others. Some women are at greater risk of breast cancer because there is a history of close family members having the disease. However, most women who develop breast cancer have no relatives with the disease. Even among women who do have relatives with breast cancer, most will never develop it.

Source: http://www.breastscreen.govt.nz/

7.       How many women are affected by breast cancer each year?

Approximately 2,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand each year.

One in three cancers occurring in New Zealand women is breast cancer.

Over 600 women die from breast cancer each year, though close to 85 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive.

Source: http://www.nzbcf.org.nz/