Mid North Coast women overdue for breast cancer screening Camden Haven Gloucester District Highlight Section Nambucca Valley by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 16, 2024 More than 40 percent of Mid North Coast women are overdue for two-yearly breast screening. MORE than 40 percent of Mid North Coast women aged between 50 and 74 years are overdue for breast cancer screening. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a timely reminder for all to book in for a free mammogram. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au According to Patrick Magee, the Acting Director of BreastScreen NSW – North Coast Screening Assessment Service, around 250 local women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. “If you’re in this age group, make breast screening a priority. It only takes 20 minutes and no doctor’s referral is needed.” BreastScreen NSW is also encouraging women to “Be A Friend, Tell A Friend”. This campaign encourages word of mouth and social media promotion of regular screening among women, their families and colleagues. NSW Chief Cancer Officer Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, said that if detected in its earliest stages, a woman’s five-year breast cancer survival rate is 98 percent. This drops to 43.9 percent if detected after it has spread to other organs. “One thousand women are expected to lose their lives to the disease in 2024, so we need to do everything we can to support women and encourage them to book in a life-saving breast screen,” she said. “Early detection not only significantly increases a person’s chance of survival it can greatly reduce the need for invasive treatment like a mastectomy.” Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. A person’s age, and being female, are bigger risks than family history. It is recommended that women aged 50 to 74 years have a breast screen every two years. BreastScreen NSW also recommends that Aboriginal women start screening at 40 years old. Any woman who notices a lump or other changes in their breasts, should see their doctor without delay. For more information and to make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van call 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.
