Breast screening participation rates

Why this indicator is important

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in NSW. [1]

  • There were 5,839 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in NSW in 2021, accounting for 26.8% of all cancer cases in women*.[2] This percentage was expected to be 27.7% in 2023.[2] Breast cancer was expected to account for 12.9% of all cancers diagnosed in NSW in 2023.[2]
  • One in eight women in NSW was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.[2]
  • The median age of women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 was 62.[2]
  • Nine out of 10 women in NSW with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.[3]
  • For women 50 years of age and over, a screening mammogram is the most effective method of finding breast cancer early.[4] Women with cancers diagnosed by BreastScreen have a 42% lower risk of dying than women with cancer who had never been screened.[5,6]

Biennial breast screening participation rate trends for participants aged 50–74,
NSW, trend, July 2016–June 2018 to July 2021–June 2023

About this indicator

This indicator shows biennial breast screening participation rate trends for participants aged 50–74 in NSW.

  • From 2021 to 2023† the biennial breast screening participation rate was 46.4%. There has been a decrease overtime since 2016-2018 (53.0%)

*While data presented in this section specifically refers to cisgender women (i.e. women whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex), not everyone with a cervix and/or breasts is a woman, and cervical and breast cancer screening is important for everyone with a cervix and/or breasts including transgender and non-binary people.

Notes

1. Data source: BreastScreen NSW (population data are sourced from SAPHARI, Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health). Population data is based on Census 2021.

2. Participation rates reported are for the biennial period ending June (end of the financial year).

3. The participation rates presented here are based on the number of women who live in NSW and are screened in NSW. Interstate clients have been excluded. Therefore the participation rates for border regions might be underestimated.

4. In response to the impact of COVID–19, BreastScreen NSW (BSNSW) suspended screening on 27 March 2020. Screening resumed in two Screening and Assessment Services (SAS) on 13 May 2020, and in all SAS on 18 May 2020. BreastScreen NSW services were also progressively suspended services from June 2021, with all Services closed from 19 August 2021. Several services recommenced screening on 13th September 2021, and all services were operational by 22nd November 2021.

References

1. NSW Cancer Incidence and Mortality Dataset, 2021.

2. Cancer Institute NSW. Cancer type summary dashboard [Internet]. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022 [cited 11th March 2024]. Available from: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/research-and-data/cancer-data-and-statistics/data-available-now/cancer-statistics-nsw/cancer-incidence-mortality-survival

3. BreastScreen NSW. Breast cancer and family history [Internet]. Sydney: BreastScreen NSW, 2024 [cited 7th March 2024]. Available from: https://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-and-family-history/

4. Cancer Institute NSW. Reporting for Better Outcomes. Annual statewide report, 2022. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.

5. Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Plan 2022–2027. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.

6. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia 2019. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019. Cancer Series no.119. Cat. no. CAN 123.

Bowel screening participation rates Number of eligible women who have never attended BreastScreen NSW
Tags: Breast Breast screening
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