Mobile cancer screening service coming to Port Colborne and Fort Erie
State-of-the-art breast, cervical and colon cancer screening are coming to Bridges Community Health Centre locations in Fort Erie and Port Colborne for a full day each month starting in November.
A release from the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Regional Cancer Program said its regional mobile cancer screening coach will begin offering free, regular cancer screening services in the two communities.
It has already been providing those services in St. Catharines since last year.
“Expansion to Fort Erie and Port Colborne is part of the regional cancer program’s efforts to increase cancer screening rates among Niagara residents who face barriers to screening,” the release said.
Dr Julian Dobranowski, Chief of Diagnostic Imaging at Niagara Health and Provincial Head for the Cancer Imaging Program at Cancer Care Ontario, said Niagara Health was pleased to partner with the regional cancer program to bring the mobile service to Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
“Screening is a very effective tool for detecting cancer early and improving outcomes for patients. Having these new screening opportunities available for members of our communities complements our local services and reaches even more people,” Dobranowski said.
Port Colborne and Fort Erie residents are encouraged to see their regular healthcare provider to arrange for cancer screening.
For those facing barriers — like not having a family doctor or nurse practitioner, or facing transportation, cultural, or other personal barriers — the service offers breast, cervical and colon cancer screening through the Ontario Breast Screening Program, Ontario Cervical Screening Program and ColonCancerCheck program.
The release said satellite breast screening services are no longer provided at the Port Colborne and Fort Erie sites given concerns about equipment deficiencies that were irreparable, outdated film technology and low patient demand.
“An increasing number of women in these communities were transferring to Niagara Health’s OBSP centres in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland sites for routine breast screening. These centres offer more advanced digital technology, which is consistent with provincial mammography quality guidelines,” the release said.
The coach will be at Bridges’ Port Colborne location, 380 Elm St., on the first Wednesday of each month starting Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be at Bridges’ Fort Erie location, 1485 Garrison Rd., on the second Tuesday of each month, starting Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Residents can book an appointment by calling 905-975-4467 or 1-855-338-3131, or drop-ins can be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.
The coach’s monthly schedule and a full listing of Ontario Breast Screening Program locations in the region are available at hnhbscreenforlife.ca.