Janis Tobeck-Blue considers herself lucky. From her Stanmore Bay home she can look across the beach to Orewa, and she never takes a day for granted.
It could have been very different if her doctor had not constantly reminded her to have a mammogram and in 2009 she was diagnosed
with breast cancer.
She credits early detection for her quick recovery, and hopes that a new mobile digital breast screening unit in the Rodney area - the first fully digital service in Australasia - will encourage more women to go.
It allows faster appointment times and images can be checked immediately rather than women having a nervous wait for films to be developed.
"I'd been putting it off for so long," she says.
"I went to my doctor and she asked me again if I'd been for one, and I said no, so she booked me in for an appointment straight away.
"That was in 2007 and the test was fine, but I went again in 2009 and they found a lump.
"I do think a lot of women in rural areas and in Whangaparoa put off going because the testing isn't accessible," she says.
"But I know of two women who got tested when the mobile unit came to Stanmore Bay a few months ago, and I know one of them wouldn't have gone if she had to travel to get tested. It's just so important to do.
"I do think there is a bit of fear for some women, but you've just got to go and get it done."
The Breast Screen Waitemata Northland service operates the mobile unit.
The joint project between Waitemata and Northland District health boards will allow for 700 more available appointments over the next year. And in Rodney, areas such as Helensville, Stanmore Bay, Albany and Orewa will all be visited by the unit over the next two months.
For women aged 45 and over, the screening is free.
Breast Screen Waitemata Northland's manager Moira McLeod says many rural women found it difficult to access the permanent testing services in Walkworth and Orewa.
"When we went to Te Hana, a few women said they werze very appreciative that they didn't have to drive through the Dome Valley for an appointment," she says.
"Some rural women do find it more difficult to access these services, but now we can go to them. The service is going to be much faster and efficient for women, and it's going from Albany to as far north as Te Hana."
The unit is coming to...
-Now until September 23, Helensville, Mitre 10, Mill Rd.
-September 26 to October 1, Albany, Albany Mega Centre, upper car park near Farmers.
-October 3 to 21, Stanmore Bay, Leisure Centre, 159 Brightside Rd.
-October 25 to November 11, Orewa, Estuary Arts Centre, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway.
As well as being screened at the mobile unit, Rodney women -have the option of having a free digital mammography appointment at BreastScreen, Waitemata Northland's permanent Takapuna clinic, at 2 Pupuke Rd, Takapuna, and Woodford House at the Waitakere Hospital grounds.
These clinics are open weekdays and on Saturday mornings, with late nights on Mondays and Thursdays.
For more information or to make an appointment, call 0800 270 200, (09) 484 0200 or email enrolments@BSWN.govt.nz .
Free transport is available if required.