Banff and Canmore to Host Free Mobile Mammogram Clinics This November

Free mobile breast cancer screening clinics are coming to Banff and Canmore this November, offering eligible residents with Alberta Health Care coverage an opportunity to receive a mammogram closer to home.

Primary Care Alberta's Screen Test program will visit Banff from Nov. 16-19 and Canmore from Nov. 20-24, according to its latest schedule.

The program brings specialized screening equipment to rural and remote Alberta communities, helping residents access breast cancer screening without travelling to larger centres.

Mammograms are X-ray images of the breast used to detect early signs of cancer, often before symptoms appear.

In Alberta, women aged 45 to 74 are encouraged to have a screening mammogram every two years, or as recommended by their healthcare provider. Those in this age group can book without a doctor's referral.

Women aged 40 to 44 should discuss their breast cancer risk with a healthcare provider and require a referral for their first screening mammogram.

The upcoming visits are part of a provincial program celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

Since launching in 1991, Screen Test has expanded from visiting 26 communities in its first year to serving more than 120 communities across Alberta, screening up to 15,000 people annually.

Between October 1990 and January 2025, the program completed more than 575,000 mammograms, identifying over 3,100 cases of breast cancer.

"Getting screened for breast cancer saves lives," said Kimberley Simmonds, CEO of Primary Care Alberta, in a September news release.

"Over the last 35 years, many of our mobile mammography clients have said they would not receive regular screening if not for the mobile units."

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, regular screening can help detect breast cancer before symptoms develop, when treatment is often most effective.

Residents can book appointments by calling 1-800-667-0604. They are encouraged to confirm clinic dates and locations when booking.

More information about screening eligibility and the mobile program is available through Screening for Life.