Clarence Valley women aged between 50 and 74 are being encouraged to visit the BreastScreen NSW mobile screening van.

Currently parked alongside Market Square in Pound St, Grafton, the mobile screening van is offering free mammograms until December 17.

Jane Walsh, Director of BreastScreen NSW North Coast, said a mammogram is one of the most important things women aged 50-74 can do for their health.

She added having the mobile screening van in Grafton makes it easier for women to attend their recommended biannual screening.

“Around 90 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history and this is why breast cancer screening is so important for all eligible women,” Ms Walsh said.

“Detecting breast cancer early increases your chance of survival while reducing the likelihood of invasive treatment, such as mastectomy or chemotherapy.

“Bringing the mobile screening van to the Clarence Valley means more local women can be screened.”

All BreastScreen NSW mobile screening vans include the latest digital mammography technology and secure wireless communication system.

Ms Walsh is encouraging local women to book a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW by calling 13 20 50 or visiting book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au. 

The service is free and no referrals are required.

BreastScreen NSW is taking all necessary measures in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to protect women, staff and the wider community by practising social distancing regulations, limiting the number of people in each van, asking pre-screening questions regarding personal health and recent travel movements, providing a minimal contact check-in process and carrying out additional sanitising of equipment and commonly used surfaces.  

The NSW Government, through the Cancer Institute NSW, is investing $62.1 million in breast cancer screening this financial year.