15,000 women in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) were screened for breast cancer last year, and health professionals want to see that number rise.
With more than 300 local women expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, BreastScreen NSW has re-launched the ‘Breast Cancer Doesn’t Wait’ campaign.
“More than 1,000 women are expected to die in NSW this year from breast cancer and we are determined to support women to detect and treat breast cancer as early as possible,” said NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW Professor, Tracey O’Brien.
“Early detection not only significantly increases a person’s chance of survival to 98 per cent, it can also greatly reduce the need for invasive treatment like a mastectomy.”
The campaign encourages women to prioritise their two-yearly breast screening, and new data from Cancer Institute NSW shows around 3,100 additional cancers would be detected if every eligible woman had a regular mammogram.
“I know it can be hard for women to set time aside for themselves in their busy schedules, but breast screening needs to be a priority – an appointment only takes 20 minutes every two years and could save your life,” O’Brien said.
Campaign organisers are refining their advertising to reach local government areas with the highest numbers of under-screened women, as well as priority populations including First Nations women aged 40 to 74 and Cantonese and Mandarin speaking women aged 50 to 74.
“For women aged 50-74, a breast screen every two years is the best way to detect breast cancer early before it can be seen or felt,” said Director of Sydney West Screening Assessment Service, Nirmala Pathmanathan.
“The message is clear – put yourself and your health first and make breast screening a priority.”
To make an appointment, call 132 050 or visit http://www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.