1. What is BreastScreen NSW?
2. What is a screening mammogram?
3. What is digital mammography?
4. Is the screening mammogram free?
5. Are mammograms safe, what about the radiation?
6. Why is early detection vital?
7. Why are screening mammograms recommended every two years?
8. Why does BreastScreen NSW target asymptomatic women aged 50 to 69 years?
9. Does a woman need a doctor’s referral to go to BreastScreen NSW?
10. Can women aged 40 to 49 years, make an appointment?
11. Can women aged 70 years and older, make an appointment?
12. What can women under 40 years of age do to be aware of breast cancer?
13. Do women who perform breast self examination still need to have a screening mammogram?
14. What should women with a family history of breast cancer do?
15. Can a screening mammogram stop a woman from getting breast cancer?
16. How reliable is a screening mammogram?
17. Is the radiation from mammogram harmful?
18. Is there more information about the BreastScreen program?
19. Where can more information about breast cancer be found?
20. How do you make an appointment?
21. Is there an interpreter service?

1. What is BreastScreen NSW?

BreastScreen NSW is a government funded program providing free screening mammograms to detect breast cancer for women aged 40 years or older, and is especially recommended for women aged 50 to 69 years.  BreastScreen NSW is part of BreastScreen Australia, a joint Commonwealth, state and territory program with high quality standards.

2. What is a screening mammogram?

Screening is the process of looking for disease in a population of healthy people who have no symptoms of disease.

A mammogram is an x-ray picture that enables doctors to see inside the breast.

So a screening mammogram is a breast x-ray of women with no symptoms of breast cancer.

3. What is digital mammography?

Breast x-rays taken using digital mammography record the images as digital files directly on to a computer. The analogue or film mammography uses photographic film that needs to be developed before the image could be viewed. The difference is similar to the difference between a camera that uses film and a digital camera. The digital image when displayed on a high-resolution computer screen can be digitally enhanced for optimum viewing.

The actual process of taking the mammogram still uses x-rays and the breasts still need to be compressed to ensure a clear image of the breast tissue is obtained.

4. Is the screening mammogram free?

Yes it is free to eligible women. The BreastScreen NSW program prioritises women aged 50 to 69 year, however all women 40 years and older are eligible for free screening mammograms.

5. Are mammograms safe, what about the radiation?

Mammograms are safe as there is minimal exposure to radiation during a mammogram because modern mammography machines use the smallest amount of radiation possible while still achieving a high quality x-ray. In addition the radiation dose is minimised by firmly compressing the breast for a few seconds.

Therefore any possible risk from radiation is extremely small. The American Cancer Society notes the amount of radiation received during a screening mammogram is about the same as the exposure to background radiation in the person’s natural surrounding in an average three month period.

For most women, the benefits of having regular screening mammograms outweigh any possible risk from radiation exposure.

6. Why is early detection vital?

Breast cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in Australian women and approximately one in nine Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
 
The chances of getting breast cancer increases as women get older. Early detection of breast cancer while it is small and before it has a chance to spread is the most important factor determining the survival and recovery of a woman from the disease. Regular screening mammograms increase the likelihood that breast cancers are found as early as possible.
 
A screening mammogram can find cancers when they are as small as a pea. Without screening mammograms, cancers are more likely to be noticed or felt when they are much larger – at around the size of a small cherry.

7. Why are screening mammograms recommended every two years?

Breast cancer can develop at any time. About one in nine women in NSW develop breast cancer at some time in their lives. Research has shown that screening for breast cancer can reduce the number of deaths from the disease in the target age group of women 50 to 69 years.

A screening mammogram can detect breast cancer at an early stage. Generally, the earlier breast cancer is detected the greater the treatment options available to a woman. Regular screening increases the likelihood that breast cancers are found as early as possible. A two-year screening interval is recommended as there is evidence that screening intervals of longer than two years will reduce the mortality benefit from screening.

It is a woman’s choice to have a screening mammogram; however routine screening is important so that if breast cancer has developed since a previous screen, it will still be detected early.

8. Why does BreastScreen NSW target asymptomatic women aged 50 to 69 years?

Mammograms are usually more accurate as women get older, as the breast tissue becomes less dense. See Question 12 What can women under 40 years of age do? below for more details.

BreastScreen NSW targets asymptomatic women aged 50 to 69 years as a priority since screening mammograms have been shown to be of most benefit, in terms of deaths prevented, for women in this age group. However all women older than 40 years are eligible for free screening mammograms.

9. Does a woman need a doctor’s referral to go to BreastScreen NSW?

A doctor's referral is not required to make an appointment at BreastScreen NSW. A booking for any BreastScreen NSW site can be made by calling 13 20 50. However women are encouraged to contact their doctor if they have any concerns or queries, or if they notice any changes in their breasts.

10. Can women aged 40 to 49 years, make an appointment?

Yes. The current BreastScreen Australia policy about screening women aged 40 to 49 years states that:
 
Mammography screening through BreastScreen Australia is available to women aged 40 to 49 years who have decided, based on current knowledge and personal choice that they wish to attend. However there is clear evidence that screening has the greatest population benefit for women aged 50 to 69 years to prevent deaths from breast cancer.

11. Can women aged 70 years and older, make an appointment?

Yes. Women aged 70 years and older are eligible and welcome to attend BreastScreen NSW. We advise women in this age group to discuss the requirement for ongoing screening mammograms with their GP so they make an informed decision. One reason being they may have competing health priorities.

12. What can women under 40 years of age do to be aware of breast cancer?

BreastScreen NSW encourages all women to be aware of the normal look and feel of their breasts. Getting to know what is normal will help a woman recognise new or unusual breast changes. If a woman notices any new or unusual changes in her breast, she should see her doctor as soon as possible.

Regular screening mammograms are not recommended for women under 40 years of age. The tissue of young women’s breasts tends to be denser than that of older women. This is due to the influence of hormones. On a mammogram, dense breast tissue shows up as a white area. Breast cancers also appear white and are therefore more difficult to find on younger women’s mammograms.

Mammograms are usually more accurate as women get older, as the breast tissue becomes less dense and breast cancers are easier to see against a darker background.

13. Do women who perform breast self examination still need to have a screening mammogram?

Cancers detected by screening mammography are significantly smaller and can be detected earlier than cancers detected by physical examination such as breast self examination or examination by a doctor.

For example, a cancer detected by a screening mammogram can be as small as pea or around 1 cm whereas the size of a cancer detected by physical examination is larger around 2.5cm in diameter, the size of a cherry.

So even if a women performs breast self examination if she is over 50 years she should still have two-yearly screening mammograms.

Women are encouraged to be breast aware and if they notice any changes in their breasts to consult their doctor as soon as possible.

14. What should women with a family history of breast cancer do?

BreastScreen NSW recommends that women with a strong family history of breast cancer discuss their circumstances with their general practitioner.

15. Can a screening mammogram stop a woman from getting breast cancer?

No, a screening mammogram cannot stop a woman from getting breast cancer, but through early detection, it can give her a better chance of successful treatment.

16. How reliable is a screening mammogram?

A screening mammogram is the best way of detecting cancer early, but like other screening tests it is not perfect.

Not all cancers will be detected through screening – some cancers cannot be seen on a screening mammogram, some cancers develop during the time between screening mammograms and there is a slim chance that in the process of taking and reading the mammogram, the cancer will be missed.

Also a screening mammogram may detect abnormalities in the breast tissue which may necessitate further tests but which do not turn out to be cancer. These incidents are known as ‘false positives’, and are an unavoidable aspect of the screening process.

The choice to be screened is an individual choice. The current medical recommendation is that all women aged between 50 to 69 years should have a screening mammogram every two years.

17. Is the radiation from mammogram harmful?

Screening mammograms involve taking a breast x-ray using specialized machines using the smallest amount of radiation possible while still achieving a high quality x-ray. In addition the radiation dose is minimised by firmly compressing the breast for a few seconds.

Therefore any possible risk from radiation is extremely small. To put it in perspective the amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram is similar to the amount of radiation a woman receives from her natural surroundings (background radiation) in a period of between three months.

For most women, the benefits of having regular screening mammograms outweigh any possible risk from radiation exposure.

18. Is there more information about the BreastScreen program?

Yes more information is available at
 
www.breastscreen.info.au

19. Where can more information about breast cancer be found?

The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre have a wide range of information on breast cancer on their website www.nbocc.org.au.

20. How do you make an appointment?

Call 13 20 50 – cost of a local call.

21. Is there an interpreter service?

Yes an interpreter service is available by calling 13 14 50.