Nestled in behind the Bonnyville ambulance building was the mobile mammogram screening clinic, Screen Test, a service Bernadette Robert has been using for over a decade.
“I (use it), because I’m able to. In some cases, you can’t, because depending on what your history is, they send you to Edmonton. I have a friend that goes to Edmonton for her mammograms, but in my case, I have no history of breast cancer, so I’m able to go here. It’s really nice for me, because I live here,” Robert said.
The clinics travel to rural communities offering breast cancer screening to women between the ages of 50 and 74, who may not be able to make the trip to Edmonton.
“If it weren’t here, I don’t think there would be as many people going. Mammograms are recommended for older people, and for older people to travel to Edmonton just for a breast screening, which only takes 10 minutes, that’s a long way to go and come back for 10 minutes,” Robert detailed. “For some, it’s easy to travel to Edmonton, but for others, it’s difficult. Our community is only three hours away, but some are even further than that. This services a large area, so it’s nice to have the base here.”
The clinic is offered through Alberta Health Services (AHS), and is free for anyone with a registered health card number.
Although the test may be uncomfortable, Robert said it has come a long way over the years.
“It’s not as horrific as it used to be. There were two ladies just talking about their first mammograms in the ‘80s that were terrible because the machines were manual, whereas now, the machines are automatic. The pressure is there, but it’s released very quickly. Ten minutes, you’re in and out,” she explained.
Once the appointment is over, residents can expect their results within two weeks.
There was an occasion where Robert did have to travel to Edmonton when there was an abnormality doctors wanted to check six-months later.
“Fortunately, it was nice because it was summertime because the clinics normally come in the winter,” she said, adding the second scan was clear of any cancerous cells.
For those avoiding a screening, Robert encourages them to “bite the bullet” and get it done.
“It’s the fear of the unknown before you get there, but once you get there the ladies on the team are amazing. They make you feel very comfortable quickly, it’s done quickly, and you’re good to go.”
