Women urged to keep up to date with breast screening

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and BreastScreen Queensland is shining the spotlight on how effective and important regular breast cancer screening is for Sunshine Coast women.

One in seven Queensland women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

However, the five-year survival rate after a breast cancer diagnosis is now 92%, according to the latest report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

In fact, the five-year survival rate for stage 1 or early breast cancer is close to 100%.

Between 1991 and 2018 five-year survival rates increased from 75% to the current 92%, due to early diagnosis through breast screening as well as improved treatments.

“Regular breast screening really does save lives,” BreastScreen Queensland Health Promotion Officer Gillian Duffy said.

“It is important that women don’t skip health checks because they are too busy or don’t think they are at risk.”

BreastScreen Queensland provides free breast cancer screening for women 40 years and over. Women aged 50 – 74 years are encouraged to have a breast screen every two years, as studies show that this age group benefits the most from regular screening.  

“On the Sunshine Coast we have six permanent BreastScreen services from Caboolture to Gympie, as well as our mobile van, which visits about thirteen rural sites and shopping centres. If you go onto the BreastScreen website, you can put in your postcode and find your nearest screening service,” Ms Duffy said.

To book an appointment at any of the services call 13 20 50, or for more information or to book online visit www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au

The facts

• 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50. Younger women do get breast cancer, but the risk of breast cancer increases dramatically after the age of 50.
• 9 out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer have NO family history of the disease. While women with a family history of breast cancer are more at risk, most women diagnosed have no family history of the disease at all.
• A breast screen every two years is the best way to detect breast cancer early, well before you or your doctor can feel anything.

Data source: Breast cancer in Australia statistics | Cancer Australia

To make an appointment for a free breast screen call 13 20 50 or visit breastscreen.qld.gov.au. Screening is available at Caboolture, Caloundra, Gympie, Maroochydore, Nambour and Noosaville.