Mobile breast cancer screening clinic coming to Fort Nelson

FORT NELSON, B.C.— Residents of Fort Nelson can get free breast cancer screening close to home this month.

BC Cancer’s mobile mammography coach will be at Lakeview Inns and Suites, 4507 50th Avenue South, from August 12th to 15th.

This comes after the clinic made a stop in Chetwynd from July 30th to August 2nd.

Each screening takes X-ray images of the breasts to check for signs of cancer, often detecting it two to three years before it can be felt, BC Cancer says.

“Mammograms save lives by detecting breast cancers early, often before they have spread and when more treatment options are available,” said John Lowrie, mobile operations manager for BC Cancer’s breast screening program.

“More people in B.C. are being diagnosed with breast cancer, but fewer are dying from the disease. This is in large part due to early detection and treatment.”

BC Cancer says around 3,500 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in B.C. each year, with about 10 per cent of all screenings performed on mobile units.

The service is open to most women, as well as many two-spirit, trans and nonbinary people aged 40 and older with no symptoms. 

To book a screening, call 1-800-663-9203. More information about booking an appointment and getting connected to a health provider about a screening can be found on BC Cancer’s website.