The Manitoba Breast Screening program (MBSP) was established in 1995 to provide free breast screening to Manitoba women 50 to 69 years of age. In 1998 mobile services were made available to rural and northern communities to improve screening access. In September 2008, Manitoba Health removed the upper age limit for breast screening and now eligible woman 50 years of age and over are welcome to attend.

The goal is to reach 70% of the population of women 50 to 69 years of age. Community and Regional Health Authority assistance are required to find a suitable location, promote screening and find volunteers when needed.

The mobile screening equipment consists of:

• a mobile unit
• a portable dark room
• x-ray film
• TV/VCR
• signs
• literature
• teaching tools

This equipment is loaded onto a special van and brought to selected communities where it is unloaded and set up in the chosen site.

The following criteria are considered when choosing a location:

• Distance from other screening sites (fixed sites in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson or other mobile sites).
• Screening participation rates.
• Sufficient number of women 50 years of age and over living in the area to fill at least 2-3 days of appointments.
• Suitable location to set up the mobile unit.

We need someone to act as "community co-ordinator" who is willing to attend to our checklist.