A lifesaving service for the early detection of breast cancer in women will be relocated to the heart of Wagga allowing better access for those at risk.
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Wagga’s BreastScreen is currently situated in the medical district at the Calvary Health Care Riverina campus and will be relocating early next year into a shopfront in Berry Street.
Director of BreastScreen NSW, Debbie Lattimore, said the move to the central business area of Wagga will hopefully encourage more women aged 50-74 to be tested.
“Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women in NSW and sadly, one in eight will develop the disease by the age of 85 years,” Ms Lattimore said.
“Breast screening saves lives, so it is vitally important that the new home for BreastScreen NSW is highly visible and easily accessible by foot or car for women.”
A development application for the refurbishment of BreastScreen’s new address on Berry Street was submitted with the Wagga city council on July 16.
The new site contains a vacant one-storey warehouse building, fronting Berry Street and used to operate as a commercial premise associated with a retail pet supply store.
The Wagga central business area already accommodates a number of medical centres, including the neighbouring Australian Red Blood Service.
The new BreastScreen NSW site at 69-71 Berry Street will include:
- Dedicated reception and waiting areas
- Mammography and ultrasound rooms
- Consultation, procedure and interview rooms
- Call centre servicing Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Southern NSW Local Health Districts
- Dedicated rear access disabled parking
- Storage facilities
More than $4.5 million will be invested towards screening programs for breast cancer by Murrumbidgee Local Health District in the Greater Southern NSW region this financial year.
The development application lodged for the refurbishment and conversion to a breast screening facility is estimated to cost $1.1m.
This new medical facility will be operated by BreastScreen NSW and managed and funded by the NSW government.
Debbie Lattimore said: “Finding breast cancer early improves survival rates so women at risk should be having a mammogram every two years.
“Most mammogram appointments take less than 20 minutes and the x-ray pictures can find cancer well before you or your doctor could detect any changes in your breast.”
The relocation is stage three of the Wagga Base Hospital redevelopment at $170 million, totaling to the $430 million development.
It is estimated that the health care facility will employ up to 13 staff on a typical work day; employing five clinical staff and eight office based staff.
The hours of operation at the new health care facility will operate from Monday to Friday between the hours of 7.30am to 7pm.
Appointments can be made by calling 13 20 50.