Mobile testing

The country’s first digital mobile breast screening unit will soon be available to west Auckland women.

The unit will be opened on December 18 at Takapuna’s BreastScreen Aotearoa site and will hit the road in January.

The 12-metre long truck trailer has the latest digital x-ray, satellite technology and will feature two changing rooms, a reception area, waiting facilities and a screening section.

BreastScreen Waitemata Northland programme manager Moira Mcleod says the unit will operate between New Lynn and the far north.

"There are many women who don’t attend breast screening because it’s hard for them to travel to a screening facility. So it’s important to have a mobile unit circulating."

The existing, five-year-old vehicle performed 4318 screens in the year to June 2009 and the new unit’s increased capacity will enable an extra 40 mammograms to be done per week.

Call 0800-270-200 to enrol in the screening programme or visit www.breastscreen.govt.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News