Breast Screening
In 2011, research found that 50% of women diagnosed with breast cancer were aged 50 – 69. BreastScreen Victoria (BSV) actively targets women in this age bracket for free mammography breast screening. Screening is recommended every 2 years for women aged 50-69 without breast symptoms, as this is when screening has been shown to be most effective. However, all asymptomatic women over 40 are eligible.
Currently the state wide participation rate for the 50-69 age group is approximately 54% but even lower in parts of inner city Melbourne.
The routine collection of data from BreastScreen attendees, has found that approximately half of the women attending BreastScreen had been advised to attend by their GP. Whilst many women attend because they had received a reminder letter from BSV, the effectiveness of the GP referral is clearly evident.
BSV has introduced some innovative initiatives that will enable GPs to easily refer women to a local BreastScreen Clinic. Click on the BSV logo below to go to the Breast Screen Victoria GP resource Page.
For further information on breast screening please contact Genevieve at MGPN on 9347 1188 or genevieve.oneill@mgpn.com.au.
Resources
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patient resources
Culturally and linguistically diverse patient resources
- Breast awareness pamphlet Cancer Council Victoria
(available in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Greek, Khmer, Macedonian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish and Vietnamese)