Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in Canada, which is why October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The month is designed to get people talking and to work towards catching the disease in its early stages.

In Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency operates the Early Detection Screening Program, which is headed by Jocelyn Smith.

"Our screening program for breast cancer operates two permanent screening centres - one in Regina, and one in Saskatoon," she explained. "Our mobile bus operates year-round and travels throughout rural and northern Saskatchewan."

The mobile bus was in Humboldt for the spring, operating over a period of five weeks. It also stopped in Wadena and Kelvington and will visit Melfort from November 13 to December 15.

Smith noted who should be planning a screening.

"For our early detection program, women 50 years of age and over without a family history of breast cancer should have a mammogram every two years."

She added that women with families who do have a history of breast cancer should also be screened often.

The SCA says that approximately 75% of breast cancers diagnosed through the program are in their early stage.