- A fifth mobile unit is being added to the BreastScreen WA fleet to support more Western Australian women
- $1.4 million of funding by the Cook Government to enable 5,000 more WA women to be screened with the new van
- Screening mammography is the most effective method for early detection of breast cancer
- Last year more than 135,000 women were screened by BreastScreen WA
The Cook Government is increasing breast screening across Western Australia with the introduction of an additional $1.4 million mobile van to the BreastScreen fleet.
This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the additional van means 5,000 more screening mammograms can be undertaken in localities where demand is high.
Over the past four years, BreastScreen WA has expanded its service to several remote communities, including Lombadina/Djarindjin, One Arm Point and Bidyadanga.
Women 40 years and over with no symptoms are eligible for a free screening mammogram.
Breast cancer is the most common life-threatening cancer for women and one in seven women in Australia will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Having a screening mammogram (breast x-ray) every two years significantly increases the chance of a woman surviving breast cancer and reduces the amount of treatment required.
More than 75 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50 and research shows that screening is most effective for this age group.
BreastScreen WA commenced in WA in 1989. The first clinic was a fixed site at Cannington and today it has 12 fixed sites and four mobile vans.
The fixed sites are located at Albany, Bunbury, Cannington, Cockburn, David Jones (Perth City), East Perth (Mardalup), Joondalup, Mandurah, Midland, Mirrabooka, Padbury, Rockingham.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"A free screening mammogram is one of the best things that women can do to look after their health.
"This additional van will mean 5,000 more WA women can be screened for breast cancer every year.
"Screening every two years is vitally important to increase the chance of a breast cancer being detected when it is too small to feel or be noticed.
"Breast screening only takes 20 minutes and saves lives."
