BreastScreen WA celebrates reaching 1 mln mammograms

Medical Director Dr Liz Wylie said the milestone represented a significant benefit to Western Australian women.

“Screening mammograms can detect changes in the breast as small as a grain of rice and can detect up to 90 per cent of breast cancers,” she said.

“About 250 women die from breast cancer each year and one in eight women is at risk of developing the disease.

“The best way to reduce the number of deaths from the disease is to detect and treat breast cancer as early as possible.”

Acting Director General of Health Dr Peter Flett congratulated BreastScreen WA on reaching the screening milestone and acknowledged the success of the program.

“BreastScreen WA screens more than 85,000 women annually and has one of the highest cancer detection rates in Australia,” Dr Flett said.

“As Western Australia’s only accredited state-wide screening mammography service, BreastScreen WA plays a critical role in reducing morbidity and mortality through early detection.

“Screening mammograms are still the best way to detect breast cancer.

“By taking the time to have a regular screening mammogram every two years, women will increase their chances of detecting early signs of breast cancer.”

The celebration coincides with World Cancer Day, an annual event held to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage prevention, detection, and treatment.

BreastScreen WA provides a free state-wide accredited screening mammography and assessment service to women aged 40 years and over every two years. For an appointment phone 13 20 50.