Isuzu bolsters breast cancer fight

A Northern Territory breast-screening service has deployed a distinctive Isuzu FTS 800 to reach the Top End's remote communities

A hot-pink Isuzu truck is delivering a vital breast-screening service to women in remote communities across the Northern Territory.

An Isuzu FTS 800 4x4 dubbed the BreastScreenNT Bus is being used by BreastScreenNT to deliver the service to up to 100 women per week, as it visits around 20 rural outposts on a two-year rotation.

Many of the service's recipients live thousands of kilometres from the nearest permanent medical facility to offer breast screening.

The Cancer Screen Services Manager of the Northern Territory's Department of Health and Families, Karen Forster, said the initiative was realised through $1.2 million of Federal Government funding, and came about as a way of boosting breast-screening rates in isolated communities.

"Many of these women simply don't participate in breast screening because it's impossible for them to travel such long distances," she said.

"Although, statistically, indigenous women have a lower chance of developing breast cancer, there are higher instances of late diagnosis. Obviously that is an issue that needs our attention."

The truck's fit-out was entrusted to Queensland firm Mills-Tui.

Design Drafter Isaac Goodman said the truck had to be able to transport sensitive equipment over some of Australia's harshest terrain.

"The vehicle was designed using a fully framed body constructed from galvanised steel tube," he said.

"A curved roof was installed to maximise water run-off during the wet season and to help create roof voids for running air-conditioning pipes, ducts and electrical wiring.

"The air-conditioning system was sized to provide adequate cooling, which was a critical feature to protect the delicate equipment."

No wood products were used in the fit-out because of the high humidity in which the truck would be operating. Instead, the interior was panelled with composite aluminium sheeting, while aluminium cabinetry was used to give the truck's internal workspaces the feel of any permanent medical clinic.

The finished truck has a reception room and a breast-screening clinic, while the mammography machine is able to transmit images to Darwin instantly via a roof-mounted satellite dish. Other features include an automatic awning, a 9kV Durapower generator, a hot water system, dimmable LED interior lighting and automatic folding entry stairs.

The levelling legs, awning and lighting is operated via a touchscreen panel.

Shouldering the load is an Isuzu engine delivering 176kW and 706Nm, with the power fed to the ground via a six-speed Allison automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD setup with centre differential lock.

Boasting a GVM of 13,900kg, the truck also comes with electronic cruise control as standard and an ISRI 6860 driver's seat with integrated seatbelt, which together smooth the journey as the truck tackles the vast distances of the Top End.

Ms Forster said choosing an Isuzu for this demanding role made good sense.

"The procurement team had experience with Isuzu and knew the truck was reliable," she said.

"Let's face it, the conditions are tough going and the equipment is highly sensitive. Reliability was at the core of the decision, as well as its adaptability to our needs."

Isuzu bolsters breast cancer fight

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