With one out of 8 women being diagnosed with breast cancer the importance of early detection couldn't be stressed enough.

To make it easier for women living in rural and remote Alberta communities to be screened, Alberta Health Services has provided the 'Screening for Life' mobile campaign.

The 'clinic on wheels' has been coming to Cochrane once a year since 2012 giving mammograms to women to help increase early detection.

Harmony Mcrae, AHS, Community Screen Test Coordinator, says mammograms are still the gold standard in detection of breast cancer in its early stages.

"They can find breast cancer in their early stages of two to three years before it becomes large enough to be felt by her or her doctor. When we find the breast cancer early the chances of treatment and survival are so much better."

In fact, the survival rate is approximately 90%, five years after diagnosis.

The Screen Test's target group is women 50 -74 years of age and they should be getting the test every two years. 

Mcrae adds even if breast cancer isn't hereditary, a women still needs to get checked.

"That family history only makes up a very small part of the breast cancers that are diagnosed; about 5 to 10 percent. The majority of women who do get breast cancer, and that's about 80%, they don't have a family history of breast cancer."

Many lifestyle choices can be contributing factors in developing breast cancer.

"Body weight is important especially for women post-menopause. If you are obese or overweight, that is a risk factor. Smoking and alcohol are also considered risk factors." 

Mcrae recommends having a healthy body weight, and monitoring smoking and alcoholic consumption.

The mobile clinic will be at the Community Health Centre January 4-7. 

To book an appointment toll free call 1-800-667-0604 or to find out more information go here.

 http://screeningforlife.ca/