The Tongan Breast Cancer Society says the long held dream of gaining a mammogram machine is about to come true.
A spokesperson for the society, Leta Kami, says October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the new cancer screening tool will be in use when the Mammography Unit opens at Vaiola Hospital this week.
She says the service now means women will not have to endure the financial and emotional costs of leaving the country and being separated from their families to have their breasts screened.
"This has been a dream with the Tongan Breast Cancer Society, seven years old. I remember from the meeting five years ago when we were talking about a mammogram machine, and some of our members knew of assistance that we can get. And so we are really, really happy that finally this has come true."
Leta Kami says the Breast Cancer Society has worked with the Ministry of Health and other donors to bring the new service to Tonga.
