Breast Cancer Screening

Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women; breast cancer also causes the most cancer related deaths in Australian women. Early detection is important in regards to appropriate treatment measures and breast cancer survival.

Breast cancer screening, known as mammograms or mammography screening can help aid in the early detection process. Early detection often means the cancer is small, easier to treat and less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. In Australia breast cancer screening, or breast x-rays are free of charge to women over the age of 40. Mammograms are able to detect small tumours before a women or a professional can.

Breast screening has advanced to a digital resource which is specifically aimed at healthy women who show no symptoms of breast cancer and are aged between 50 and 69 years of age. Mammograms are free for women from 40-49 and 70+; although, mammograms are targeted at women between 50 and 69 years of age because they are in the high risk category. Breast screening is less effective for women under the age of 50 because of their breast density, but it is still essential that women over the age of 40 to have regular breast examinations, especially in the home.

It is vital that women also monitor their own breasts for changes and if they notice any changes or lumps to contact their doctor, although, not all lumps are cancerous, do not panic. If you do find a lump a breast scan is not suitable. Breast cancers can often be felt as a lump although most breast lumps are not cancerous.

A mammograph involves taking an x-ray of each breast, some women find this uncomfortable because the screening machine presses on their breasts, although this is only for a few seconds. The scan is then examined by two specially trained professional. After having a scan the results are sent to you within two weeks, if the scan shows anything suspicious the client will be sent for a follow-up test. A request for further testing doesn't mean the client has cancer.

Females are encouraged and able to have a free breast screen every two years, a reminder letter is sent to women between the ages of 50 and 69 years, women of this age will be given priority for appointments over those who do not fit into this age group. Women between 40 and 50 and over 70 years of age will not be ignored, they will be supplied with a suitable appointment time, when it becomes available.

The aim of breast cancer screening is to reduce the number of breast cancer deaths as breast cancer does not always have a successful cure or a clear prevention.

In the year of 2004-2005, 1.6 million women had a mammogram with the BreastScreen Australia Program, 74% of them were in the 50-69 year old aged group. During this time 3,690 invasive cancers were found in women 40 years and older.

BreastScreen Australia has 500 locations all over Australia and the scan is free to women over the age of 40, once every two years. To book your BreastScreen appointment phone 13 20 50, if you call from a landline you will be automatically connected to your nearest facility.

For more information about Breast Cancer please see:
www.femail.com.au/breast-cancer.htm
www.femail.com.au/pink-lends-her-strength-to-breast-cancer.htm
www.femail.com.au/breastcancerawareness.htm