Seeing red over pink bus

Fiona Bennett with a large group of North East residents who are angry at the lack of breast screening services.

August 13, 2025

By Rachel Williams

North East women have joined forces to express their anger, frustration and disappointment in a breast cancer screening delay that they say could cost lives.

One of two BreastScreen Tasmania pink buses that travel to remote areas to provide women over 40 with breast cancer screening services has been removed from service and a replacement is not due back on the road “until further notice”.

A Department of Health spokesperson said the bus, known as Luna, was removed from service in May due to technical issues arising from water damage.

“It was determined that due to the expensive repairs required to the vehicle, it would no longer be able to provide mobile service,” the spokesperson said.

“The Department of Health has publicly committed to providing a new mobile breast screening bus, and this work is ongoing.”

It is understood a return of mobile screening will not be until summer at the earliest.

Residents across the North East who usually utilise the biennial service have been contacted to say that “due to unforeseen circumstances” it is unable to visit Scottsdale as planned in coming months.

It has instead encouraged people to book into a fixed facility in Launceston Rosny Park or Hobart and said subsidised transport may be available.

However, the group of women say its near impossible to get an appointment.

“I am a breast cancer survivor, and I haven’t been able to get an appointment,” new Bridport resident Angela Witcher said.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, three weeks after I lost my best friend to cancer. If mine had not been detected early (from a routine breast screen like those offered on the bus) it could have been a lot more serious.”

Group spokeswoman Fiona Bennett said the women are angry that a solution to the bus breakdown was not found earlier.

“It has been going on since the bus broke down and they had been taking it on a trailer to locations,” Mrs Bennett said.

“We don’t know why they can’t continue to take it on a trailer. 

“I know people who have had cancer detected on the bus and have had their lives saved. There are so many people that probably won’t get an appointment or be motivated to get an appointment in Launceston, they will wait until the bus next comes around, and that could mean the difference.

“Many people can’t get into town because of a lack of transport and rely on this bus coming. It is not just Scottsdale. It is not coming to St Helens or George Town and the other parts of the north.”

The collective that met at Better Health 4 Dorset on Monday wearing bright pink to express their disappointment and anger, said it was “just not good enough”

“A lot can happen in six months. If there is already a waiting list to get into Launceston, who is going to give up their space for us?” local Louice Mott said. 

“You are talking about something small and fast growing and if you have to wait six months it is really scary. It could be your death warrant.”

The Department of Health spokesperson did not answer questions from the North-Eastern Advertiser about how long the wait time will be in Launceston for appointments.

“We sincerely apologise to those affected and have contacted clients with existing appointments in the impacted areas to facilitate alternative appointments for them at our fixed sites,” they said.