Mobile breast exam unit in Polokwane next week

POLOKWANE – The national campaign Screen Her Save Her was launched in April and urges women of all ages to prioritise their health by committing to annual breast cancer screening.

To help with this, the Keystone Medical Group will be in Polokwane next week to offer women an out-of-hospital mammography and sonar service in its state-of-the-art mobile breast cancer screening unit.

The mobile breast cancer screening unit is one of its kind in South Africa, and aims to make mammographic screening accessible to both private and medical aid patients.

According to radiologist Dr Pieter Henning, the unit offers patients the opportunity to undergo these important out-of-hospital screenings in a convenient and a low-risk environment, with fast delivery of both radiology services and reporting.

He says this is particularly important amid the rising Covid-19 infections.

“Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in South Africa and almost one in every 25 women are likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime. We believe that regular screening can increase early detection, which in turn will help lead to a faster diagnosis, and result in improved treatment outcomes,” he says.

Despite the numerous awareness campaigns around the disease, the majority of women in South Africa are still uninformed about the necessity for regular screening. Screening can be done via self-examination, mammography and ultrasound.

“With private changing rooms and modern, comfortable facilities, we make it as convenient as possible for our patients. Patients have one-on-one sessions with our professional medical staff and provide immediate results. Patients also have direct interaction with the reporting radiologist,” says Henning.

Professional radiologists, sonographers and mammographers will assist patients coming for their annual mammograms. Women who are interested in this service, need to make an appointment. Patients need to allocate 30 minutes for the appointment and the cost is R1 800 for medical aid patients and R1 490 for private patients.

PR DigiPro director and media specialist Sya van der Walt-Potgieter says their office will assist to get approval from medical aids. “Usually patients get one free or covered mammogram per annum from their medical aids. We offer X-rays, mammograms and sonars. Our doctors and radiologists are professionally trained to deal with patients should they have a positive result or cancer is detected. We also assist them with information on what they need to do going forward.”

Van der Walt-Potgieter adds that women do not prioritise their health and they do not deem it important to go for an annual mammogram. “Some are afraid that it will be too painful while others do not have access to mammogram facilities in their town or city.

At this stage Covid-19 also plays a huge role because women do not want to go to hospital due to safety issues. They would rather have out-of-hospital options such as our mobile clinic where they can do their mammogram in a safe and secure environment.”

Van der Walt-Potgieter says women do not have to fear that getting a mammogram is painful. She adds that the feedback they receive from their patients indicate that they are surprised that the procedure does not hurt at all.

“The most common misperception is the fact that it will hurt and also that you only need to go once you turn 40. More and more women younger than 30 are diagnosed with breast cancer so it is important to do regular self-examinations and go for an annual mammogram.”

Women can receive facts about how to look after their physical and mental health as well as the science behind treatment options and procedures by visiting Keystone Medical’s website.

Alternatively, visit the Screen Her Save Her Facebook group.

The mobile unit will be in Polokwane at Savannah Mall from August 23-27.

To make an appointment for your mammogram and breast ultrasound, book online at calendly.com/ks-med or call 087 055 0587 (option 8).