More than 3,700 Hawkesbury women are either overdue for, or have never had, a mammogram, according to new data.
Released by the Cancer Institute NSW during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the data showed a total of 3,751 local women aged 50 to 74 are either overdue for a mammogram or have never had one.
It means that as many as 20 women in the Hawkesbury have breast cancer but don’t know it because they haven’t had a mammogram in the past two years.
Nepean Cancer Care Centre breast cancer medical oncologist, Dr Ana Vasista, said she hoped the data would encourage all women aged 50 to 74 to have a potentially life-saving mammogram and make simple lifestyle changes to reduce their breast cancer risk.
“Encouragingly, overall screening numbers across the state are on the rise, which shows our lifesaving message is getting across,” Dr Ana Vasista said.
“However, each year 950 women in NSW die from breast cancer and our data shows 3,751 women locally are not attending their recommended two-yearly mammograms.
“Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer before it can be seen or felt, which allows for less invasive treatment and better recovery. They’re also free of charge.”
In 2018-19, more than $6.4 million is being invested towards the Sydney West BreastScreen Screening and Assessment Service, which provides services to the western Sydney, Nepean, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Lithgow areas.
Breast screening participation rates are driven by many factors, including population growth and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, which have lower rates of screening than the general population.
To book a mammogram today with BreastScreen NSW, phone 13 20 50. Search for the nearest BreastScreen NSW service by visiting breastscreen.nsw.gov.au