After a very successful initiative over the last two months in the Garden Route and visits to both Bela Bela, Modimolle, Mokopane and Polokwane, the Keystone Medical Group is heading to Louis Trichardt to offer female residents with out-of-hospital mammography and sonar service in its state-of-the-art mobile breast cancer screening Unit.
Radiologist, Dr Pieter Henning, says due to the high levels of demand for this particular service offering, Keystone will visit a number of towns in Limpopo as part of their nation-wide initiative.
"We know that female patients in the Limpopo Province, often have to drive long distances to cities such as Pretoria and Johannesburg for their annual mammogram. We have, therefore, decided to make this mammography service more accessible and from 28 June, we will be visiting various towns in the province, where both mammography and breast ultrasound studies will be available as part of our continuous fight against breast cancer. Here we will offer world-class breast cancer screening services, performed by highly qualified professional female staff," he says.
The mobile breast screening unit will visit Louis Trichardt from 30 August to 3 September at the Makhado Crossing Mall. From 6 to 10 September they will be in Tzaneen en from 13 to 17 September in Mookgophong.
Henning says the unit offers female patients the opportunity to undergo these important out-of-hospital screenings in a convenient and a low-risk environment, with as fast delivery of both radiology services and reporting. He says factor is particularly important amid the rising Covid-19 infections of the third wave.
"We have witnessed a dramatic drop, almost 50%, in the number of women who came for breast cancer screening last year. This directly relates to Covid-19 restrictions and fears around general health and safety. Many women opted not to go for their annual screenings or follow-up visits at hospitals due to the high levels of safety regulations implemented at these facilities. Our mobile unit now offer these women peace of mind to get screened in a low-risk environment," he says.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst women in South Africa and almost one in every 25 women are likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime.
To make an appointment for your mammogram and breast ultrasound on the mobile unit in the Makhado, please book online at calendly.com/ks-med or call 087 055 0587 (Option 8). (Article and image supplied)