Breast cancer screening
Mammographic screening is the best method for detecting breast cancer early. Women aged 50 to 69 without breast problems are invited for free breast x-ray screening every 2 years at BreastScreen. A doctor's referral is not needed. Your results will be sent to you within 2 weeks.
Women aged 40 to 49 are welcome to attend BreastScreen, however, because of their breast density, breast x-ray screening is less effective.
To arrange a free appointment at BreastScreen, phone 13 20 50 (for the cost of a local call). Visit the BreastScreen Victoria website for more information.
Note: if you have a specific breast problem such as a breast lump, the BreastScreen program is not suitable for you. It is recommended that you see your doctor who will organise any tests needed to diagnose your problem.
Risks and benefits of breast cancer screening
Benefits
- Regular breast cancer screening for women aged between 50 and 69 reduces the number of women who die from breast cancer.
- Having regular screening mammograms is the best way to find breast cancer early before it can be felt or noticed.
- Finding breast cancer early often means that the breast cancer:
- is small
- is less likely to have spread to other parts of the body and
- can be more effectively treated.
Limitations
- Screening mammograms are not 100% accurate.
- This means that sometimes women might experience further tests, which would otherwise not have been necessary.
- It also means that for a small number of women, the screening mammogram might not find a breast cancer that is present.
- Some women are diagnosed with breast cancer between screening mammograms.
- Screening might have adverse psychological effects on some women e.g. anxiety related to test results or follow-up tests.
- Some women may be diagnosed with breast cancer that would not develop into a life-threatening cancer. Unfortunately it is not always possible to differentiate between a breast cancer that would become life threatening and one that would remain dormant for the duration of the woman's life. Therefore, some women receive treatment that might not have been necessary in an effort to reduce their risk of a life-threatening cancer in the future.
- Screening mammograms involve exposing women to a small amount of radiation. There is a small risk of side effects associated with radiation exposure.
- Having regular screening mammograms does not prevent women from getting breast cancer, nor mean women will necessarily survive their breast cancer.
Based on the best available evidence, women are encouraged to participate in the BreastScreen Australia Program, however, due to the limitations of the test as described above, it needs to be an informed personal choice.
