New mammography unit in Salmon Arm keeps patients close to home

October 26, 2023

Breast cancer survivors from the Shuswap Dragon Boat Society are happy to have mammography at home in Salmon Arm.

Residents in Salmon Arm now have access to a new mammography unit at Shuswap Lake General Hospital.

The new mammogram machine was unveiled during an open house at the site on Oct. 4, a month before screenings begin in November.

“Having mammography in Salmon Arm has been a great advancement for our community,” noted radiology tech at Shuswap Lake Hospital Kim Mead. “It’s allowing patients to receive a service locally rather than travelling kilometres down the road.”

Residents needing a mammography would previously have to travel to Vernon or Kamloops, or access the once-a-month mobile mammography service to stop in Salmon Arm.

The Shuswap Hospital Foundation, which fundraised $3.3 million for both the mammography unit and CT scanner, hosted the open house.

Three people wearing pink shirts and masks stand and talk inside. — Breast cancer survivors attended an open house for the new mammography unit on Oct. 6.

Many of the attendees are breast cancer survivors themselves and are part of the local Shuswap Dragon Boat Society.

Convenience is the big one. Because I’ve had breast cancer, I always have to have the diagnostics, going to Vernon. Should it ever come back, I have that fear of realizing something’s up and someone needs to drive you. But here, it’s convenient. It just feels more comfortable.

-- Gaye Clapperton, breast cancer survivor and member of the Shuswap Dragon Boat Society

The hospital can now also do biopsies.

Screening mammograms will be offered beginning Nov. 6 with patients either referred by a doctor or making an appointment through the BC Cancer Agency.