Breast cancer- two small words that instantly strike fear in the hearts of patients everywhere. In Nova Scotia, the statistics are sobering. Every second day in the province, the disease claims a victim and a family is shattered.
Mammography is the best tool for the early detection of breast cancer. Studies show that after screening 70% of a total population the death rate from breast cancer will decrease by 30%. Mammography screening services in this province are provided by the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program (NSBSP) through 11 fixed sites and 3 mobile units.
In order to make further progress against the disease in Nova Scotia, more women need to be aware of the benefits of screening mammography and the NSBSP needs to increase its capacity to provide this service.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is currently sponsoring the "Tour for the Cure" bus campaign. The campaign focuses on educating women on the benefits of early breast cancer screening with mammography, and is being conducted throughout Atlantic Canada. It provides an unprecedented recruitment strategy.
{sidebar id=28}The NSBSP is addressing the capacity issue through a program, currently underway but as of yet only partially completed, to provide digital mammography services to all women in Nova Scotia. The completion of the conversion to digital mammography from analog will provide the needed capacity. With this new digital equipment, technologists are able to increase the volume of studies done by 75% as compared to the old film technology. In addition, digital mammography provides improved image quality with 40% less radiation and all the benefits of the digital world (computer aided diagnosis being only one). It's a win-win scenario.
Present data shows that with the new technology in play, already 88 more cancers were found in 2008 as compared to 2007 and the rollout of digital mammography in the province is only half complete. Young women in particular have derived the most benefit. The data to date shows that the program has found 50% more cancers in women 40-49, and 30% more in women 50-59.
Completion of the rollout of digital mammography in the Capital District will provide all of the above benefits to the women of this area and decrease wait times in the district. For this reason completing the rollout of digital mammography has become the goal of the region's two leading hospital charities, the IWK Foundation and the QEII Foundation. These foundations are teaming up to organize a fundraising event to complete the digital mammography rollout in the Capital District. Bust a Move for Breast Health will make its debut in Halifax on January 30, 2010 at the Halifax Metro Centre. This one day fitness extravaganza is guaranteed to challenge the body and uplift the spirit.
"Six hours of physical activity from aerobics to yoga and zoomba, world record-setting activities, ambitious fundraising goals, and the energy of up to 1,000 participants will combine to create a completely unique experience," said the event's volunteer chairperson, Marie Mullally. "We are so excited about the positive impact Bust a Move will make. It is a cost-effective and exciting concept that will deliver much-needed funds."
The event website for interested registrants, volunteers and donors is www.bustamove.ca