Yukon Government Invests in Fight Against Breast Cancer
For Release ##08-311
December 10, 2008
WHITEHORSE – The government is investing $245,000 annually in a mammography program to protect the health of Yukon women, Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart today announced.
“Our goal with the mammography program is to move Yukon towards the national standard wait time of two to four weeks for screening and a few days for diagnostic mammography,” Hart said. “Improved mammography services and clinical support will reduce the likelihood of cancer remaining undetected.”
The new funding will be used to supplement the hospital’s existing program and hire additional trained staff, including a nurse trained in clinical breast examinations, to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages.
The Yukon Hospital Corporation will also use additional funds raised from the charitable efforts of Yukoners to assist in the program’s success.
“Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Run for Mom, our new digital mammography machine will arrive in January,” Yukon Hospital Corporation Board Chair Craig Tuton said. “A better program means improved detection, and this will have a positive impact on the breast cancer rate in Yukon.”