October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer, screening and early detection. BreastScreen NSW is encouraging women aged 50 to 74 to make their health a priority and book a free life-saving mammogram.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women and will affect 1 in 7 women in NSW during their lifetime. Research has shown that breast screening of women aged 50-74 can reduce the number of deaths from the disease.
Recent research undertaken by BreastScreen NSW identified that GPs have a significant influence in a women’s decision to have a breast screen, with women more likely to have a mammogram if advised by their GP than by anyone else. A mammogram with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes about 20 minutes in total. While a doctor’s referral is not required, your recommendation is vital.
Furthermore, BreastScreen NSW has implemented a range of hygiene and social-distancing measures to ensure clinics and mobile screening vans are COVID-19 safe, to protect women, staff and the wider community.
The measures include:
- Pre-screening questions around personal health and travel
- Limiting the number of people in the clinic/van
- Practising social distancing and providing hand sanitiser in waiting rooms
- A minimal contact check-in process
- Wearing masks
- Additional cleaning of equipment and commonly used surfaces.
Booking is easy and can be done online at https://book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/ or by calling 13 20 50.
For further information for health care professionals visit the BreastScreen NSW website. They also have a range of printed resources available that you may wish to order for your practice.
We have a range of Breast Pathways available for health care professionals on the Western Sydney HealthPathways website.
To access HealthPathways, you will need the general login details. For more information, please contact our HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wentwest.com.au
For WSLHD and SCHN Staff, please access HealthPathways via the WSLHD/SCHN Intranet Applications page.