First digital mammography vehicle rolls out in Victoria

B.C.'s firstdigital mobile mammography vehicle has been unveiled by Health Minister Terry Lake, in an announcement in front of the legislature,in Victoria on Tuesday afternoon.

The breast cancer screening vehicle is intended to reach rural areas, including theGulf Islands, Central Vancouver Island including Tofino and Ucluelet, North Vancouver Island including Port Hardy and Port McNeill, as well as Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

It's the first of three mobile units to be transitioned away from analog mammography.

The Ministry of Health contributed $940,000 for the vehicle. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Shoppers Drug Mart have also contributed undisclosed amounts.

The province says about 10 per centofall screening mammograms in British Columbia are performed by the mobile fleet.