As part of its yearly trip to save lives in Top End communities BreastScreenNT's mobile bus will be hitting Katherine from July 8. 

Staying for almost a month the service will provide access to free 20-minute appointments to women aged 50-74.

For some women living remotely, the life saving health check will be a first, as they would usually have to travel hundreds of kilometres to access a health clinic. 

It features state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment and a satellite dish that, in ideal conditions, will allow images to be transmitted to Darwin for assessment in under five minutes.

"The Territory Labor Government is improving access to quality health services for Territorians and funds BreastScreenNT's mobile bus schedule to more than 20 remote communities," Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles said.

"It will venture across the Top End by road and by barge, and I encourage as many eligible women as possible to use the services.

"Regular mammograms can detect lumps too small to feel and the early detection of breast cancer can save lives."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Australian women.

But early detection can increase survival rates of women across the Northern Territory. 

Easily recognisable the bus breaks down barriers for hundreds of women to access breast screens, and many communities often take the opportunity of a visit to run a raft of other health promotions.

BreastScreenNT's mobile bus will see approximately 1200 women during 2019, and has screened more than 5700 women since it was established in 2014.

Screening is recommended every two years.

To book an appointment call 13 20 50 or visit the website here to find out more.

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