Access to breast screening services expanded

Women under 40 who are at an increased risk of breast cancer will have access to specialist screening services under a new policy announced by Health Minister Lawrence Springborg today.

Mr Springborg revealed under the new policy, the Breast Cancer Family History Clinic on Brisbane’s northside will receive an additional $400,000 in funding to support women at high risk of familial breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in Queensland,” Mr Springborg said.

“While breast cancer cannot be inherited, the faulty breast cancer gene can be. High risk women have a 50 per cent or greater risk of developing breast cancer than the general population.

“That is why providing specialised screening and support services for these women is so important,” Mr Springborg said.

The funding will go towards hiring an additional nurse and radiographer, and will enable 350 women to be screened or re-screened each year.

It will become the only clinic in Queensland offering state-wide, multi-modality screening services for women at high risk.

“This money will help the Breast Cancer Family Clinic to detect breast cancer early and improve treatment outcomes,” Mr Springborg said.

Women recognised as being at high risk of familial breast cancer will have access to specialist surgical surgeons and medical officers, gene testing technology, as well as counselling, ongoing screening and management advice.

Women are considered at high risk if they have:

·       A first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer diagnosed before the age of 50

·       A first degree relative with cancer in both breasts diagnosed at any age

·       Two or more first degree relatives with breast cancer diagnosed at any age.

Mr Springborg said national Breast Cancer Awareness month serves as a good reminder of the importance of breast health in general, particularly the benefits of regular screening for women over the age of 40.

He encouraged women 50 years to 69 years who had never had a breastscreen or who had let their two yearly appointment lapse, to book their free breastscreen.

Mr Springborg said the successful program had performed more than three million breastscreens in Queensland over the past 20 years, detecting 13,000 breast cancers.

“The facts on the benefits of the screening program speak for themselves,” he said.

“Deaths from breast cancer have declined in Queensland by 28 per cent since the program’s inception and survival rates have improved to about 89 per cent.

“It’s plain to see that two-yearly breast cancer screens remain the most effective way to detect breast cancer early, and is a good way to maintain breast health.

“This government wants to encourage more women to participate in screening by making access equitable no matter where they live or work, and making sure at-risk women receive the specialist support and care they need.”

BreastScreen Queensland services more than 200 locations across Queensland and each uses state-of-the-art digital technology. A two-yearly visit takes about 30 minutes.

BreastScreen Queensland provides free breast cancer screening to women aged 50 to 69. Women in their 40s and over the ages of 70 can also access free screening.

Women can book their breastscreen by simply calling 13 20 50.

[Ends] 31 October 2012

Media contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284