A new BreastScreen NSW campaign is urging women to book in for a lifesaving mammogram before it’s too late, with more than 50% of NSW women aged 50 to 74 behind on their breast cancer screening.
Voiced by Australian entertainers Kat Stewart and Amanda Keller, the new campaign warns women that while you’re living life, ‘Breast Cancer Doesn’t Wait’.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said while a record number of women have returned to the BreastScreen NSW service over the past few months, there are still more than 625,000 women who haven’t booked in for their breast screen.
“We know life gets busy and reminder letters to get a breast screen often get lost under a mountain of paperwork and endless to do lists,” Mr Park said.
“The message is simple, breast screening needs to be a priority – an appointment only takes 20 minutes every 2 years and could save your life.”
Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, urged women to book in for their mammogram as soon as possible.
“Putting off something like a mammogram can seem all too easy, but you shouldn’t,” Ms Harrison said.
“It’s 20 minutes out of your day that could save your life.
“The message of this new campaign is clear – put yourself, and your health, first.”
NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Cancer Institute NSW CEO, Professor Tracey O’Brien, said the campaign aims to encourage women to put themselves first and was developed after research found many women were not having regular breast screens because they were too busy.
“For women aged 50 to 74, a breast screen every 2 years is still the best way to detect and treat breast cancer early – before it can be seen or felt,” Professor O’Brien said.
“Unfortunately, breast cancer is expected to take the lives of close to 1000 women in NSW this year and we need to do everything we can to detect and treat breast cancer as early as possible.
“As a working mum and professional, I know how hard it can be to block out time for yourself.
“A breast screen is quick and easy and if the cancer is detected early, it can significantly increase your chance of survival.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with 1 in 7 women set to be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Age and being female are the biggest risk factors – not family history.
BreastScreen NSW services are recommended for women aged 50 to 74 years, with no breast symptoms.
The service is available for women from 40 years. Any woman who has noticed a change in their breasts, like a lump, should see their doctor without delay.
