Breast Screening Guide
Community
Breast Screening Guide
LAURA HALL
23 OCTOBER 2024
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to learn and share more about breast cancer screening. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the more options a person has for effective treatment - and the more likely a person is to survive it.
So we sat down with BreastScreen Queensland to chat about all things breast screening. We spoke about what a mammogram is, who should be attending regular breast screening, and some of the barriers that result in lower participation rates amoungst Indigenous women.
Appointments can be made by calling 13 20 50 or visiting the BreastScreen Australia website. Breast screenings for eligible people are free and you don’t need a doctor’s referral.
What is a Breast Screening?
A breast screen is an X-ray of the breast also known as a mammogram. A mammogram is used to find breast cancers. They should be used in conjunction with regular self-examinations but mammograms can detect breast cancers much earlier, before they can even be seen or felt.
How does a breast screening work?
When you attend your appointment for a mammogram, after filling in your paperwork, a female Radiographer will take you into a private room. You will remove your clothing from the waist up and place your breasts between two plates on the X-ray machine. The radiographer will help you to place them in the correct position.
The machine will press firmly on your breast for about 10 seconds to take the picture. Usually, two pictures are taken of each breast. One from the top and one from the side. It does not hurt ti have the images taken.
In total, a breast screen takes only a few minutes. The whole appointment, including paperwork, takes about 20 minutes.
Your scan is then sent to be checked so you won’t receive your results right away. If anything abnormal is detected you will be contacted in the days following your appointment.
Who is eligible for Breast Screening?
The BreastScreen Australia Program offers free breast screening to people aged 40 and over who present or identify as female. Screening is most effective for women aged 50-74. If you are aged 40-49 or 75+ you are encouraged to speak with a GP about whether breast screening is right for you.
Women in the eligible age group are strongly encouraged to have a breast screen every 2 years. Your scans will be compared to previous years which can also assist in early detection - so don’t skip any bi-annual checks.
Where to Get Breast Screenings
There are around 750 locations across Australia where you can have your free breast screen. Work is being done to improve accessibility to more remote locations. Mobile vans are moving around the country to service remote communities and to reach more women.
Breast Screening in First Nations Communities
Worryingly, participation rates in regular breast screening in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are lower. Lower participation means fewer cancers are diagnosed early and poorer treatment outcomes are available. This can affect the long-term survival rate.
- Over the 2 years 2021–2022 screening participation (after adjusting for age), was 25% lower for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women than for non-Indigenous women.
- Between 2018–2022 (after adjusting for age), mortality was 1.4 times higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women than for non-Indigenous women.
What are some barriers to Indigenous women being scanned?
Barriers to participating in screening are different for individuals. For women in rural and remote areas accessibility to screening locations because of lack of transport can be a problem. In general other barriers include:
- Concerns or lack of understanding about breast cancer and breast screening.
- Focused on looking after family and don’t have time to look after themselves or don’t prioritise looking after their own health.
- Anxiety, embarrassment or shame about the process of breast screening because they are taking off their clothes in front of a stranger who will handle their breasts during the breast screening procedure.
- Concern about pain.
Inclusivity for Indigenous Women
BreastScreen Australia has a number of strategies designed to be culturally sensitive and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to participate in regular breast cancer screening. Each state and territory has its own approach. Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations aim to increase understanding and acceptance of breast screening in the community.
These include:
- Dedicated and appropriate information sources.
- Australia wide, mobile screening vans service rural and remote communities across the country.
- Group bookings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who prefer to attend a screening appointment in a group with the support of an Indigenous Health Worker. These group bookings are particularly helpful for women to be supported during their first breast screening appointment.
- Including Aboriginal artwork on resources and in screening services including the mobile screening units.
- BreastScreen Australia staff work closely with Aboriginal Health Workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations and groups to increase understanding and acceptance of breast screening in the community.
FAQs
What age should you get a breast screen?
Women over the age of 40 are eligible for free breast screenings in Australia. Screening is most effective for women aged 50-74. If you are aged 40-49 or 75+ you are encouraged to speak with a GP about whether breast screening is right for you.
I’ve had a mammogram before. Do I need another?
Yes. The risk of developing breast cancer increases as you age. It is important to have regular breast screens every two years so that you check for any changes in your breasts.
Are breast screenings painful?
No, mammograms aren’t painful. Though they can be a little uncomfortable. The X-rays captured from each scan won’t take more than a few seconds.
Can I get a breast screening if I have implants?
Yes! Women with breast implants should have regular breast screens and BreastScreen Australia radiographers are specially trained to take mammograms of women with implants.
Do women with small breasts still get breast cancer?
Yes. Anyone can develop breast cancer whether they have large or small breasts.
Ready for Your Breast Screen?
The information above has been kindly provided by the Health Promotion Officers of BreastScreen Queensland Sunshine Coast. This information has been approved by BreastScreen Australia but please check the advice in your local state for up to date information.
Your free appointment can be booked from anywhere across Australia by calling 13 20 50 or visiting the BreastScreen Australia website.
At Yarn, we have two collections supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Boobie Sista and Tribe of Women. Each sale in these collections donates $2 to supporting their vision of Zero Deaths from breast cancer. You can check our progress so far and support by shopping the collections!
Love Our Blogs? Read More Articles Now!
Yarn Blog is here to bring you the latest and greatest in First Nations Culture, news, and shopping. You can find updates on all our best products as well as info about our fantastic collaborating artists right here. Click below to start reading more of our exciting posts!