An independent MLC is pushing for better access to breast cancer screening services for women in Hobart’s northern suburbs, particularly in the Glenorchy area.
Former Mayor Bec Thomas says a permanent service is needed as many women are unable to make the trip into the city for check-ups due to “cost, transport and parking issues”.
In June, the state government announced $15 million for a new Public Diagnostic Breast Cancer Centre in Hobart, which is scheduled to open in 2025.
The facility is to be co-located with Breast Screen Tasmania near the Royal Hobart Hospital.
“Breast cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer death among Australian women,” Thomas said.
“Early detection can save lives, but only 58% of Tasmanian women aged between 50-74 participate in breast screening.”
Breast Screen currently operates a mobile screening unit known as the ‘pink bus’, which visits Glenorchy for two to three months each year.
“The pink bus that is stationed in Glenorchy between October and December each year is always oversubscribed because Glenorchy is far more accessible than Hobart, not just for women in Glenorchy but from outlying areas, too,” Thomas said.
In response to Thomas’s questioning in the Legislative Council, Leader of Government Business Leonie Hiscutt confirmed that the government is considering establishing a permanent screening facility in the area.
“Glenorchy was not considered as a potential site for the new diagnostic breast care centre due to the need for this service to be located in close proximity to the RHH,” Hiscutt said.
“In the interim, the BreastScreen bus will continue to visit Glenorchy, in a new location in the Glenorchy Health Centre car park. BreastScreen is allocating an additional week of appointments to Glenorchy this year.”
