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Portage la Prairie residents will soon have access to local breast cancer screening services thanks to a $1 million expansion at the regional health centre, the province announced Friday.

The expansion, slated to be completed next spring, will establish a dedicated breast screening facility within the health centre. Currently, residents requiring mammograms have to travel to Winnipeg, creating significant logistical and financial burdens for many.

The provincial government stated that the investment reflects a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility in rural Manitoba. The new screening services will include state-of-the-art mammography equipment and trained personnel to perform and interpret the screenings.

Officials anticipate the new facility will significantly reduce wait times for breast cancer screenings and provide a more convenient and comfortable experience for patients. The exact date of the centre's opening next spring is yet to be announced, but the province says it will provide updates as they become available. The project is expected to create several new healthcare positions within the Portage la Prairie area.

Breast cancer screening is a vital part of early detection and treatment. Regular mammograms are recommended for women over a certain age, and the new facility will play a crucial role in ensuring that Portage la Prairie residents have access to this important preventative healthcare service.