Why breast screening is important
A mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer early for women over the age of 50.1 Early detection of breast cancer increases the chance of survival.2
1 in 7 women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime,3 and the risk of developing breast cancer increases with age.4 BreastScreen NSW recommends women aged 50 – 74 have a mammogram every two years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are recommended to screen from age 40.5
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts.
The x-ray pictures can show cancers as small as a grain of rice—before you or your doctor can feel any changes in your breasts.6
A mammogram appointment takes just 20 minutes and is free.
Why are mammograms important?
When breast cancer is found early, women have more treatment options available and a better chance of getting well again.7
This is because breast cancer treatment works best when the cancer is still small and has not spread outside the breast to other parts of the body.8
If a cancer is picked up by BreastScreen NSW you are less likely to need a mastectomy.9
Screening mammograms are for well women. If you notice any breast changes or symptoms, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
Book a breast screen near you >
1. www.canceraustralia.gov.au/resources/position-statements/early-detection-breast-cancer
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2021. BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2021. Cat. no. CAN 140. Canberra: AIHW. p 4
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2022, catalogue number CAN 150, AIHW, Australian Government. p.2
5. Evidence shows that Aboriginal women in NSW with breast cancer were younger and more likely to have more advanced cancer at diagnosis than non-Aboriginal women:
Moore SP, Soerjomataram I, Green AC, Garvey G, Martin J, Valery PC. Breast cancer diagnosis, patterns of care and burden of disease in Queensland, Australia (1998-2004): does being Indigenous make a difference? Int J Public Health. 2016;61(4):435-42.
Banham D, Roder D, Keefe D, Farshid G, Eckert M, Howard N, et al. Disparities in breast screening, stage at diagnosis, cancer treatment and the subsequent risk of cancer death: a retrospective, matched cohort of aboriginal and non-aboriginal women with breast cancer. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019;19(1):387.
Tapia KA, Garvey G, McEntee MF, Rickard M, Lydiard L, Brennan PC. Breast screening attendance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the Northern Territory of Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2019;43(4):334-39
7. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2021. BreastScreen Australia monitoring report 2021. Cat. no. CAN 140. Canberra: AIHW. p 4
8. www.canceraustralia.gov.au/resources/position-statements/early-detection-breast-cancer
9. Shahabi-Kargar Z, Johnston A, Warner-Smith M, Creighton N, Roder D. Differences in breast cancer treatment pathways for women participating in screening through Breastscreen New South Wales (BSNSW). AMJ 2020; 13(6):189–200.
