Bluewater Health needs new mammography machines

As breast cancer awareness month comes to an end, Bluewater Health continues to raise money for new mammography equipment. The hospital's two existing machines are about 12 years old and in need of replacing, with new state-of-the-art equipment. Bluewater Health Foundation Executive Director Kathy Alexander said the advanced technology of the two new machines will allow the hospital to help patients detect breast cancer early, and begin life-saving treatment as soon as possible. "One having tomosynthesis, which is something that is currently not available in Sarnia-Lambton and actually not available in many communities," said Alexander. "It's a very special feature that produces, like a CT scan of the breast. It's incredibly effective and incredibly important and again will put Bluewater Health on the cutting edge when it comes to the diagnostic equipment we have available for patients in our community." She said the new equipment will help save hundreds of lives. "It is so critical that they get screened," said Alexander. "We screen over 12,000 women a year at Bluewater Health and more than that need to be screened. Women are still reluctant to get a mammogram. It's just something we're seeing more and more of, one in eight is a huge amount of women who are being diagnosed, and the sooner you're diagnosed that you have breast cancer and the sooner you access your treatment, your survival rates are incredibly successful." Alexander said so far they've raised just over 50 per cent of their $1.1 million goal, including proceeds from the Dream Home Lottery. To donate to the campaign visit the foundation's website at www.bwhf.ca.