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What is breast cancer screening?

BreastScreen Australia is the national breast cancer screening program and it is available to all Australia women aged between 40 and 74 years.

Every state and territory operates a BreastScreen Australia service, here in Western Australia it is BreastScreen WA.

BreastScreen WA invites women aged between 50 and 74 years to have a free mammogram every two years. Women aged between 40 and 49 need to contact BreastScreen WA to join the program.

A screening mammogram (mammography) takes an x-ray picture of the breast, which can find breast cancers early, before they can be seen or felt.

BreastScreen is a free service and does not require a doctor’s referral.

Why participate in breast cancer screening?

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women in Australia. The chances of getting breast cancer increases with age, and one in seven women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

Regular breast cancer screening via mammogram reduces the number of women who die from breast cancer. Finding breast cancer early can mean that the cancer is smaller, less likely to have spread to other parts of the body and can be more easily and effectively treated.

Based on the best available evidence, women are encouraged to participate in the BreastScreen program but there are benefits and limitations to breast cancer screening so it’s important you have all the information before deciding whether to participate in the national program and at what age you want to commence. Discussing breast cancer screening with your doctor can help you understand your breast cancer risk and to make decisions about your participation in the program.

You can find more information on both the benefits and the harms of screening mammography here.

Who is eligible for National Breast Screening Program?

Women aged 50 to 74 years are invited to have a free mammogram every two years.

Women aged between 40 and 49 years, and women over 75 years and over, are still eligible for free breast screening but will not receive an invitation in the mail.

How does breast cancer screening work?

A breast screening mammogram is done by a specially trained female radiographer using an X-ray machine. During the screening mammogram, one breast at a time is placed between two plates and pressed firmly for around 10 seconds to take a clear picture of the breast tissue. Two X-rays are taken of each breast, one from the side and one from the top.

The mammogram images are reviewed by at least two specially trained doctors (radiologists). Results will be sent to you via mail, SMS or email after two to three weeks, and to your nominated healthcare provider.

Understand the breast cancer screening test in your language

Click the link for information in additional languages

Where can I do the breast screening test?

Search BreastScreen WA locations

BreastScreen WA has metropolitan, regional and mobile screening services.

Book your appointment online

Appointments at BreastScreen WA can be booked online or on the phone. You do not need a doctor’s referral to make an appointment.

What do your results mean?

No evidence of breast cancer

If there is no further action required after your mammogram, you will receive advice from BreastScreen WA that there was “no evidence of breast cancer” on your mammogram.

This advice may come by email, letter or SMS depending on which mode of communication you elected when you booked your screening test.

You will be recommended to have your next screening mammogram in two years.

You will also be advised to continue to be breast aware and see your doctor if you notice any symptoms or if you are concerned about your breast health.

Further tests required

Around one in 20 women will be asked to come back for further tests. If you require further tests, you will be contacted by a BreastScreen WA Nurse and offered an appointment at a BreastScreen WA Assessment Clinic.

This does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer, just that something unusual was seen which requires further investigation. Some common reasons that need further testing are areas of dense breast tissue, benign (non-cancerous) cysts or calcification (flecks of calcium in the breast). The additional tests that are required will depend on the appearance of the mammogram.

It’s important to remember that the majority of women recalled for further tests have a normal outcome, meaning they do not have breast cancer.

Important things to remember:

  1. Stay up to date. It’s easy to ensure you’re up to date with your breast screening. Speak to your healthcare provider or call BreastScreen WA at (08) 9323 6700.
  2. Finding breast cancer early through screening significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment and reduces deaths.
  3. If you are aged between 40 and 49, or over 74 years of age and thinking about breast screening, speak to your doctor or health care worker about whether mammography screening is right for you. Your doctor can help you decide based on your individual circumstances.

Are you a health professional?

View breast cancer screening information for health professionals

Frequently asked questions

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50 years of age. The breast tissue of younger women tends to be more dense than the tissue of older women, which makes it more difficult for mammograms to see changes that may indicate cancer.

It is recommended that all women are breast aware. Get to know your breasts and what is normal for you by looking at and feeling them from time-to-time. If you are familiar with your breasts, you may be more likely to notice any unusual changes that could be a sign of breast cancer.

Discuss your personal risk of breast cancer with your doctor, they can help you decide if you should consider screening early.

Most breast changes are not breast cancer, however it is important to have any changes or symptoms checked out right away by your healthcare provider.

There is no right or wrong way to feel your breasts for changes. You might like to follow the suggestions below or you might find a way that works better for you.

  • Look in the mirror and feel your breasts from time to time.
  • Feel them while you are in the shower or bath, lying in bed, or getting dressed. It should only take a few minutes.
  • Remember to feel all the breast tissue, from the collarbone to below the bra-line, and under the armpit.
  • Use the flat part of your fingers and the finger pads to feel near the surface, and deeper in the breast.
  • If you notice any unusual breast changes, see your doctor right away. Changes can be things like a lump or lumpiness in the breast, changes in the skin, changes in the nipple, an area that feels different from the rest, or any new breast pain.

It’s important to remember that most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a family history breast cancer.

The risk of developing hereditary breast cancer will depend on several factors including:

  • How many close relatives have been diagnosed with breast cancer (mother, sister, daughter, father, son, brother)
  • The age when breast cancer was found (greater risk if your relative was under 50 years of age)
  • How closely they are related (sister rather than niece or cousin)
  • If there is breast cancer in both breasts, male breast cancer, or breast and ovarian cancer in the family

For a small number of women, their family history might mean that they should attend more frequently for a screening mammogram. Speak to your healthcare provider about your risk and screening options.

Around one third of women over 50 years have dense breasts. BreastScreen WA notifies women when a mammogram shows they have increased breast density. There is currently no evidence that women with dense breasts need more frequent screening mammograms. Women are recommended to keep screening every two years once eligible.

Women who are breast feeding are advised to postpone their screening mammogram until three months after they have finished lactation. This is because a woman’s breast tissue is very dense whilst breast feeding, and a mammogram is less effective during this time. If women are concerned about any symptoms whilst breastfeeding, they are advised to see their doctor without delay.

Find out more about breast cancer