Northern Health and the BC Cancer Agency have announced the opening of a new, state-of-the-art Breast Imaging Clinic at the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George.
“Today’s announcement is a good step towards providing the kind of quality public health care that people in Northern B.C. deserve,” says Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
The Clinic brings digital mammography and ultrasound equipment, on top of a team of radiologists and technologists.
“It allows us to have high-end digital equipment which is the equipment of its kind in Prince George,” explains radiologist Dr. Karen Seland. “It’s now the gold standard so its really brought the level of quality up for our mammography services.”
With the equipment, women are now able to have their screening mammograms and, if required, diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds in one location.
The result is expected to be improved access to services, and result in less time between screening, diagnosis and treatment.
“Previously, women were forced to go to two or three places to get their breast imaging,” Dr. Seland says. “What this does is bring all of the services to one location.”
The project cost $2.585 million with the BC Cancer Agency’s Screening Mammography Program and the Ministry of Health accounting for $2.037 million, and the Spirit of the North Health Care Foundation adding $548,000.
The project also included significant renovations to the fourth floor of UHNBC; installing digital mammography equipment and the support equipment to offer complete screening and diagnostic services.