A lot can change in three decades – something staff at BreastScreen Victoria Bendigo know all too well.
Manager Kath Carman is one of the long-serving staff members who has seen the service evolve in her 15 years at the service.
“When I first started in mammography 22 years ago, we were processing films in a dark room and looking at images on a light box.” she said.
“But technology now allows us to take 3D image assessments for some patients, we can now do vacuum assisted biopsies and more.”
BreastScreen Victoria Bendigo, as part of the national breast cancer screening program, provides free mammograms to women and trans and gender diverse people aged 50-74.
According to the 1995 annual report, around 6,750 patients utilised the service in Bendigo.
Loddon Mallee residents had the choice to use the Bendigo service or a mobile unit in Swan Hill for testing.
Now, the team sees about 8,500 patients in Bendigo and between 15-16,000 clients in total across the Loddon Mallee region annually.
The service has expanded to fixed sites in Bendigo, Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca and mobile sites in Kerang, Robinvale, Heathcote.
In addition to screening mammograms, the department is one of eight Reading and Assessment Services in Victoria, providing follow ups for the small number of women whose screening mammogram shows possible signs of breast cancer.
One thing that has stayed this same over the years is the dedication and service delivery.
Over 30 years, the staff have made it their mission to create a peaceful and supportive environment for patients during what can be quite a stressful situation.
“We’ve been able to create a team that works well together and we feel that in turn makes our patients feel like they’re in good hands,” Kath said.
“It’s the small things like keeping your voice nice and calm and reading the patient that can make all the difference.
“You don’t always know what a patient has been through, it’s important to recognise individual needs and adjust your approach with every person.”
The team has worked hard to ensure they continue to provide inclusive and culturally safe care for all, through initiatives like the Beautiful Shawl Project, where women receiving a mammogram can use a locally-designed cultural screening shawl during the procedure.
The also make sure members of the LGBTQI+ community are able to access the care they need and feel comfortable through correct use of pronouns and speaking about clear screening guidelines.
Kath said she hoped the team would research the potential use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to continue to improve image quality and results.
“We also want to continue our focus on under-screened groups and ensure our services are more accessible. We are lucky to partner with organisations like Bendigo and District Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC) which held a recent Mobile Screening visit and are looking at alternative ways to engage with community groups across the region.”
The service’s extensive past will be celebrated at an event on 26 March, 2025.
To learn more about the service, visit: Bendigo Health Website - BreastScreen Victoria Bendigo