The day of the screen arrived and for the first time in months, I annoyingly slept in. Usually an early riser, I booked an 8.20am appointment to have the uncomfortable experience quickly completed to tackle the remainder of the day. I rushed to get myself ready around sorting my gorgeous, but demanding fluff balls, who were irritatingly dancing around my feet. Soon I was off to Leongatha, mask glued to my schnozz.

During the drive my thoughts gravitated to breast screens of the past. I remembered the clinicians were typically focused and thorough with a practical attitude. This day I expected no different as I turned into Gippsland Southern Health Services car park and spotted the distinguishable pink, mobile van. It was a bitter-cold winter’s day and the thought of shedding my many layers made me shiver.

Arriving at the foot of the bus stairs, I checked in with the contact tracing app conveniently placed on a table outside the entrance. Preparing myself for what lay ahead, I entered the vehicle as the door automatically opened and summoned me inside. Standing in the modest reception area, I was instantly greeted by smiling, welcoming eyes glowing from above a face mask. This friendly soul introduced herself as Trish and immediately made me feel at ease.

As I sanitised my hands, Trish proceeded to confirm my personal details, after which I signed the form to be true and correct. Suddenly a lady from the adjoining room appeared and introduced herself as Joanne, the mammographer. She had been thoroughly cleaning, sanitising and preparing the radiography room and machine after the previous client, in preparation for me.

Joanne was lovely as she kindly showed me into the area I’ve always facetiously named the ‘pancake’ room. The state of the art, digital radiography machine was typically familiar and confronting, but I was thankful for the room’s toasty-warm temperature.

Joanne clearly communicated directives showing incredible compassion and consideration to my mental, physical and emotional needs. Her competency and collective dedication toward her important role was obvious. I couldn’t help admiring her in fact, I can’t speak highly enough of both Joanna and Trish, who significantly eased a usually unpleasant, vulnerable experience.

Joanne expressed the BreastScreen van named ‘Nina’, is offering free screens until the 20th August and is targeting women between the ages of fifty and seventy-four. Having a breast screen every two years is the best way to detect breast cancer early, before any symptoms arise and when treatment is most likely to be successful. You don’t need a doctor’s referral or even your Medicare card. The van is diligently operating with Covid-19 safety measures in place to protect both the community and staff. Appointments are appropriately spaced out to ensure physical distancing.

BreastScreen Victoria CEO Terri Smith claims, “Nina is one of our two mobile screening vans, which travel the state throughout the year. This visit to Leongatha is organised to ensure women of South Gippsland have access to potentially life-saving mammograms.”

Statistics reveal one in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, most without evidence of family history. Ageing is the biggest risk factor for developing the disease, hence why breast screens are so important.

The pink van is presently situated at Gippsland Southern Health Service, 66 Koonwarra Road, Leongatha (beside Koorooman House) until Friday 20th August. Appointments can be booked online at breastscreen.org.au or by calling 13 20 50.

Breast screening is a choice, however, one well worth contemplating. Taking only ten minutes of your time, this procedure could ultimately save your life.

Camilla Hullick