The Alberta government is helping to detect lung cancer in rural areas.
On Wednesday (Sept. 25), the Minister of Health, Adriana LaGrange, announced Mobile Lung Health Units are coming to the province next spring.
"I am especially proud to announce our government, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation are partnering with 19 to Zero to bring Mobile Lung Health Units to rural and remote communities," Minister LaGrange stated in a media conference on September 25. "This will reduce barriers for Albertans who don't have the same access to care as those in urban centers."
This is part of their commitment to providing quality health care to all Albertans, as well as ensuring all Albertans are able to get the care they need near their home.
Investing in mobile health units will increase the chances that lung cancer will be detected and treated earlier than normal in rural and remote communities, as well as helping to bridge gaps in the health care system.
The mobile health units will go to parts of the province that are underserved and patients typically have lengthy travel times to reach the nearest diagnostic centre.
Lengthy travel times can lead to delayed cancer diagnoses and the management of lung conditions.
The provincial government will be working alongside healthcare partners and local leaders to determine where there is a need for the mobile units.
"So, we expect the first unit to offer pulmonary function tests to be operational next spring and the CT truck will follow. These mobile units will be able to complete more than 4,000 pulmonary function tests and up to 6,000 CT scans per year. A game changer for Albertans living in rural and remote communities," LaGrange said.
These units will include a converted medical sprinter can for pulmonary function testing (PFT), while the diagnostic imaging truck will be custom-built.
Both CT scans and PFT are essential tools for identifying and managing lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer but in Canada, they are typically only available in urban centres.
The units will be designed and operated by Aceso Medical and will include Starlink and access to Connect Care, allowing radiologists and pulmonologists to access test results instantly.
A website will be available to show the location and schedule of the health units.
The government is spending $1.5 million to support the mobile units, and the Alberta Cancer Foundation is also adding $1.5 million.
"We are committed to ensuring every Albertan has access to the health care services they need when and where they need them. These mobile units will help bridge existing gaps in the health care system and improve outcomes for Albertans in rural and remote areas," Minister LaGrange added in an accompanying media release.
To learn more about the health units and to read the full release, click here.