The new permanent BreastScreen WA clinic was opened today in Albany, providing women in the Great Southern with access to screening services to detect breast cancer early.
The permanent clinic replaces the Mobile Screening Unit that visited Albany for 12-15 months every two-year period.
Commencing on June 9, the new Yakamia Clinic (located at 2/2 Barnesby Drive) will operate all year-round three days a week, which equates to approximately 3,000 screens each year.
The clinic has also been designed to accommodate any future growth in demand and has the capacity to increase to five-day screening and house a second x-ray machine.
This clinic is the first of two to open, with another new screening and assessment centre scheduled to open in the northern suburbs later this year.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"Each year approximately 1,300 women in Western Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 250 women will die.
"Regular participation in a breast screening program can reduce breast cancer mortality by up to 35 per cent in the target age group. Early detection also allows women to be eligible for more effective and less invasive cancer therapies."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"I am pleased to be here to open the new permanent breast screening clinic in Albany, which will offer women in the Great Southern access to screening services to detect breast cancer early.
"This clinic has been designed to accommodate any future growth in the region.
"I am proud to be part of the McGowan Government as it delivers real outcomes in regional WA."
