KEY POINTS
- In Australia, 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer can affect anyone, regardless of their health or lifestyle. Even women with no family history of the disease are at risk. In fact, 9 out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia had no family history of the illness.
- According to Ms. Serdan, early detection significantly improves survival rates and leads to more favourable treatment outcomes.
- BreastScreen Australia is the national program that actively invites women aged 50 to 74 for free two-yearly mammograms. Women over 74 and those between 40 and 49 are also eligible for a free mammogram but won’t receive an invitation.
Breast cancer can begin as something incredibly small, as tiny as a grain of rice. Because of its size, you might not feel it or notice any symptoms at first. This is why breast screening is crucial. In Australia, while the focus is on women aged 50 to 74, those as young as 40 are now eligible for free breast screening.Jeralyn Serdan of BreastScreen NSW
Mammograms are often perceived as painful, but they are a critical part of breast health awareness. While the procedure might cause temporary discomfort, the benefit of early detection far outweighs the short-lived inconvenience. A mammogram can take as little as 20 minutes and could save your life.Jeralyn Serdan of BreastScreen NSW
