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Mammogram marathon

Carla VanderZaag credits a routine mammogram with saving her life.

"Sometimes in life we get a second chance. In 2010 I felt fine, but went ahead and had a routine mammogram at the Breast Screening Clinic at Stevenson Memorial Hospital,” VanderZaag says.

“Thanks to the excellent work of the technicians and radiologist, a tumor was detected and stage 1-2 cancer identified. I'm fully recovered now! Early detection and early treatment gave me a second chance.”

She is now encouraging women over 50 to participate in Stevenson’s mammogram marathon on Thursday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Give yourself a gift - a visit to the Breast Screening Clinic. You could be giving yourself a second chance," she said.
 

Stevenson Memorial Hospital is holding a mammogram marathon on May 7.
 

The Mammothon, is a call to action for women over 50 years old who have never had a mammogram or haven't been screened in more than two years.

On May 7, women can walk in for a mammogram without an appointment between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

While breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, only 61 percent of eligible women in Ontario are being routinely screened. The disease affects one in nine women, most of whom do not have a family history, according to Cancer Care Ontario.

Stevenson’s Diagnostic Imaging Department aims to screen 30 women during the Mammothon.


"The purpose of Mammothon is to ensure all eligible women have an opportunity to put aside their hesitations and put themselves first," said Jeff Kerk, Manager of Paramedice at Stevenson. "The one-day open house is a great chance to overcome fears. Mammothon is meant to be a positive and purposeful day dedicated to women's health."

Mammothon is being organized by the Central Regional Cancer Program and held at Ontario Breast Screening Program at various sites in Simcoe County and York Region.
 

Follow Mammothon on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Mammothon

To find out when you should start screening for cancer, or to encourage friends and family to get checked, visit the Time to Screen Tool at www.ontario.ca/screenforlife

For questions about breast screening, call the Ontario Breast Screening Program toll free at 1-800-668-9304.