A Tasmanian woman who beat breast cancer after a routine scan has hailed a new $15 million diagnostic breast screening centre in Hobart as “world-class”.
Vicki Thompson was diagnosed last year following a regular BreastScreen appointment.
“I had no symptoms. I was not unwell. I was physically fit. I consider myself to be a healthy person,” Thompson said.
She had undergone screening every two years since turning 50. She has now finished formal treatment and is cancer-free.
Thompson became emotional describing the care she received from nurses, oncologists and other staff over the past year.
“If it hadn’t have been for them, I would not be standing here today,” she said.
She urged other Tasmanian women not to put off screening.
“It costs nothing. And this is scarier, turning up here today and doing this, than having a breast screen,” she said, referring to speaking to the media.
The new centre houses both BreastScreen Tasmania and the diagnostic breast imaging service.
It has five mammography rooms and three ultrasound rooms, including two additional advanced machines, along with a new electronic patient management system.
Mahmoud Mahmoud, group director for population screening and cancer prevention, said the upgrade would expand capacity, cut waiting times and allow GP referrals at no cost.
“Staff and clients love it,” Mahmoud said.
The centre will offer contrast-enhanced mammography, a procedure Mahmoud said is better at detecting the smallest cancers and can serve as an alternative to MRI scans.
He said more than 1,200 patients were seen through the diagnostic service late last year, with more than 150 already seen earlier this year.
Asked about funding pressures raised last year, he said the service had “the sufficient budget that is required to operate … at full capacity”.
The centre is already taking referrals from the public system and will soon open to GP referrals.
The opening comes as the state’s Luna breast screening bus remains off the road, with a three-month delay pushing delivery back to December.
Health Minister Bridget Archer said she had written to every state and territory health minister seeking a surplus bus.
