BreastScreen ACT is encouraging women to form groups to make mammogram bookings as a way of generating moral support.
Director of BreastScreen ACT, Yvonne Epping, said group bookings were a good option for women nervous about having a mammogram, or who simply wanted some support and companionship before and after the test.
“Group bookings are a great way to get together with friends or colleagues and do something positive and preventative for yourselves,” Ms Epping said.
She said BreastScreen ACT was particularly keen to encourage employers to support their staff having a mammogram by organising a workplace group booking.
She said the Capital Airport Group was one local business which did just that, arranging a booking recently.
Human Resources Manager at the airport, Leesa Baker said staff were offered the
opportunity to have a mammogram during work time to make it easy for them in their busy lives and to encourage them to look after their health.
“We were happy that so many women signed up and that they had the support of their friends and co-workers through this group booking,” Ms Baker said.
“The feedback from the team has been overwhelmingly positive.”
BreastScreen ACT’s Yvonne Epping said mammograms were available to all ACT resident women 40 years and over at no cost and they only take a few minutes.
She said women between 50 and 74 years should have a mammogram every two years.
“It’s the most effective screening test for finding breast cancer early,” she said.
Appointments can be made by phoning 13 20 50.
