Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Australia, however if detected early and managed nine-out-of-10 cases can be successfully treated.
All Australian women aged 50 to 74 will receive an invitation that could save their life as part of a $55.7 Government million initiative.
“This campaign also marked the first time Australian women aged 70 to 74 have been specifically targeted for breast screening awareness, with an additional 220,000 breast screens expected to be delivered over four years as a direct result,” Federal MP Alex Hawke said.
The additional screening delivered as a result of the campaign could potentially lead to the detection of an extra 600 breast cancers across Australia a year.
More than 1.8 million women are screened every two years and more than 75 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50.
Most women who get breast cancer also have no family history.
Women aged outside of the 50 to 74 age group are encouraged to talk to their GP or health professional to find out if breast screening is appropriate for them. For further information, visit: www.australia.gov.au/breastscreen
