Golden Plains Shire Council has partnered with Breast Screen Victoria to make it easier for locals to access breast screen services.
Two events will be held in June and July for local women aged between 50 and 75 to have their regular mammogram screening. The June event is designed for women in the Shire’s south with transportation into Geelong from Bannockburn, with the July event for women in the north, with transport from Smythesdale into Ballarat. In addition to transport to the clinics, the free events will include lunch at a nearby café, a breast screen mammogram appointment, and social wellness activities hosted by Council staff while waiting for the appointment.
The first event into the Geelong Breast Screen Clinic will be held on Tuesday 29 June, from 12 to 4pm. Participants will be picked up and dropped off at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre, 27 High Street, Bannockburn.
Due to the availability of mammogram appoints, places are limited to 16, with registrations closing on Monday 14 June. To register, community members can click here or call Council’s Active Ageing & Inclusion team at 5220 7151.
The northern event will take place from 8.45am to 2.45pm on Tuesday 27 July, with pick up and drop off from The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale. Registrations for this event will open later in June.
Mayor Cr Helena Kirby encouraged local women to take advantage of the potentially life-saving program.
“Golden Plains Shire is really proud to be able to offer this free new initiative, to help local women overcome the transport and cost barriers to having regular breast screens. Many residents have to travel out of our Shire for important health services, like mammogram screenings, and this initiative is one way Council can help to overcome this reality.
“More than 75% of breast cancers occur in women over 50, and regular screens every two years are best way to find any breast cancer early.
“If you’ve been putting off your regular two-year screen, please consider registering and taking up this free opportunity. It could save your life.”