Riverside Mammogram Blitz: Staff member’s breast cancer journey highlights importance of screening
October 09, 2025
Even with early detection on her side, Tara Hamilton’s breast cancer journey has been challenging. Enduring surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy treatments, the Riverside Health Care staff member has spent more than nearly a year and a half fighting Canada’s No. 1 diagnosed cancer in women.
Thanks to the detection of a tiny shadow — just 0.6 mm — during an annual mammogram in the spring of 2024, Tara is considered cancer free today.
“Thankfully, it was caught very early,” Tara says. “I am so deeply grateful for the skill, dedication, and compassion of everyone involved in my care. Early detection truly saves lives.”
Mammograms — images created by low-dose X-rays of the breast—should be completed at least every two years to detect changes that can indicate breast cancer in its earliest stages to make it more treatable.
In addition to pre-booked appointments for those 40 and over, Riverside Health Care offers annual opportunities for both staff and the public to take part in this important cancer screening procedure. They will again have two separate October dates for community members to walk in without an appointment to get their mammograms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
To allow the highest number of visitors, two separate dates are in place for different age ranges. Those between 40 and 49 can visit La Verendrye’s diagnostic imaging department on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 between noon and 8 p.m.
Others in the range of 50 to 74 have a window from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among Canadian females, according to Screen For Life Coach Northwest.
“Mammograms save lives by finding cancer when it’s small and easier to treat,” says Tiffany Dolyny, Quality Lead for Diagnostic Imaging at Riverside Health Care.
“We’ve been really proud to organize these mammogram blitz days over the past few years to care for all of those around us — whether it’s a community member or a team member here at Riverside.”
Tara has experienced significant challenges even though she was diagnosed very early. Her emotional and spiritual health journey included times when she could not work, and side effects that her team of health care professionals continuously worked to find solutions for.
She credits compassionate support from family and friends, her faith and professional mental health maintenance for helping her navigate the difficulties that follow diagnosis. And, of course, the important step of her annual screening that led to early detection and increased her odds of a positive outcome.