Breast cancer screening in New South Wales has reached a record high, with almost 390,000 women screened through BreastScreen NSW over the past 12 months.
The result marks the highest 12-month screening total recorded by the program.
Participation was strongest in regional NSW, where 57.8 per cent of eligible women were up to date with their recommended two-yearly breast screen, compared with 51.6 per cent statewide.
The figures have been released at the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with health authorities encouraging women who are due for screening to make an appointment.
Women Aged 50–74 Encouraged to Screen Every Two Years
BreastScreen NSW recommends women aged 50 to 74 have a mammogram every two years.
Screening can detect breast cancer before it can be seen or felt, potentially allowing treatment to begin earlier and reducing the likelihood of more invasive treatment.
BreastScreen NSW also recommends Aboriginal women begin regular screening from age 40.
Women who notice a breast change, including a lump or other unusual symptom, are advised to see a doctor rather than wait for their next routine screening appointment.
Busy Schedules a Major Reason Women Delay Screening
A recent survey of more than 25,000 BreastScreen NSW clients found everyday commitments remain a major barrier to screening.
More than 40 per cent of women surveyed said they had delayed a mammogram because they were too busy, while another 17 per cent said they had postponed screening because they forgot.
Cancer Institute NSW says the screening appointment itself generally takes around 20 minutes.
The findings highlight an ongoing gap between record screening numbers and overall participation, with almost half of eligible women across NSW still not up to date with their recommended two-yearly screen.
Breast Cancer Remains the Most Common Cancer Among NSW Women
Breast cancer accounts for around 28 per cent of new cancer diagnoses among women in NSW and approximately 15 per cent of cancer deaths among women.
It remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in NSW women and the second-leading cause of cancer death among women in the state.
The NSW Government expects almost 7,000 women to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026, with more than 1,000 deaths expected from the disease.
Health authorities also stress that age and being female are the biggest breast cancer risk factors, rather than having a family history of the disease.
Survey Shows High Satisfaction With BreastScreen NSW
The client survey also found high levels of satisfaction among women who had used the service.
The broader survey results supplied with the Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign found:
- More than 97 per cent said they would speak highly of BreastScreen NSW
- 99.8 per cent said staff were polite and courteous
- 97.9 per cent felt at ease with their radiographer
- 98.7 per cent rated their overall experience as good or very good
The results cover the full screening journey, from initial contact through to receiving results.
Record Screening Numbers, but Participation Gap Remains
Despite the record number of screenings, BreastScreen NSW continues to encourage more eligible women to participate.
Cancer Institute NSW says more than 579,000 women in NSW are currently overdue for a breast screen, reinforcing the gap between record service volumes and the proportion of women screening at recommended intervals.
BreastScreen NSW appointments are free for eligible women and can be made online or by calling 13 20 50.
The program is using Breast Cancer Awareness Month to encourage women to prioritise routine screening and remind friends and family members who may also be due for an appointment.
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