BreastScreen WA has become the first breast screening service in Australia to connect to My Health Record.
WA women, who have consented, will have their mammogram results uploaded to their My Health Record as soon as their test is assessed by two consultant radiologists. They can also choose to receive either an SMS or a letter.
Regular breast screenings save lives but waiting for the results of the procedure can be challenging. The fast-tracking of results will further support women and their health care providers as more care is delivered digitally.
Having the results kept in one convenient and secure place means they can be accessed at any time to help inform decisions about patient care.
BreastScreen WA provides free screening mammograms to asymptomatic women and specifically targets women aged 50 to 74 years, however, all women 40 years or over are eligible and welcome to attend. The screening only takes about 15 minutes and does not need a GP referral.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women apart from non-melanoma skin cancer.
It is important women of all ages self-check their breasts, and women aged 50 to 74 years take up BreastScreen Australia's invitation of a free screening.
Early detection remains the best chance of survival.
Australians are more engaged in managing their health than ever before. More patients are using My Health Record to see their diagnostic results with 140,000 people doing so in March - a 76 per cent increase from February.
The volume of My Health Records with health information has almost doubled in the last 12 months with more than 60 per cent of records now having data in them. This is helping ensure Australians have access to their vital health information if and when they need it.
BreastScreen WA has delivered more than 30 years of quality care to West Australian women and continues to innovate to improve its service to women.
The Morrison Government is strongly committed to reducing breast cancer's toll on Australian women, and encourages all women to know the risk factors and put their health and well-being first.
Key My Health Record statistics
- 22.74 million My Health Records
- 13.97 million records with information in them
- 2.41 million My Health Records in Western Australia
- 1.89 billion documents in the system
- 31 per cent of pathology and diagnostic imaging providers connected
- Almost 43 million pathology reports uploaded
- More than one million pathology and diagnostic imaging documents uploaded in March alone.
