Organisers of Breast Cancer Awareness month are urging women to book in for a free life-saving mammogram, saying 45.5 per cent of women aged 40+ in Greater Western NSW are overdue for breast screening. 

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with one in seven women set to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Age and being female are the biggest risk factors – not family history. Around 264 local women are expected to be diagnosed this year, and this by any standards is far too high. 

“For women aged 40+, a breast screen every two years is still the best way to detect breast cancer early- before it can be seen or felt,” said Deon Adamson, Manager, of BreastScreen NSW, Greater Western.   

“If you’re aged 40+, make breast screening a priority. It only takes 20 minutes, and no doctors referral is needed,” he said.  

A new campaign was launched last month, “Breast Cancer Doesn’t Wait” in response to research that discovered many women were putting off breast screening because they were too busy and not putting themselves first.  

“If detected in its earliest stages, a woman’s five-year breast cancer survival rate is 98 per cent. This drops to 43.9 per cent if detected later, when it has spread to other organs,” says Professor Tracey O’Brien, NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW. 

“Breast cancer is expected to take the lives of close to 1,000 women in NSW this year and we need to do everything we can to support women and encourage them to book in a life-saving breast screen,” said Professor O’Brien. 

“Early detection not only significantly increases a person’s chance of survival it can also greatly reduce the need for invasive treatment like a mastectomy.” 

Making time for a mammogram.

“As a working mum and professional, I know how hard it can be to block out time for yourself. Unfortunately, breast cancer doesn’t wait, so I encourage all eligible women to stop and put themselves first – for themselves and their family,” said Professor O’Brien.  

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than just raising awareness, it’s about taking action, supporting one another and helping women around us. 

For the 31 days of October, pink ribbons will appear as the impact of breast cancer is brought to the forefront of national conversation. Awareness alone isn’t enough, this October organisers are asking that people get involved – get screened, make a donation and take action. 

Not everyone has access to the best care or resources while facing breast cancer - with 1 in 7 women diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, there has to be a better way. 

Everyone is encouraged to use your voice, passion, and dollars to help reach every woman and make sure she has access to the screening, support, and care she deserves. 

Although BreastScreen services are recommended for women aged 50-74 years with no breast symptoms, the service is available for women from 40 years. If you have noticed a change in your breasts, like a lump, see a doctor without delay.  

For more information and to make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 from anywhere in Australia or book online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au