Lack of diagnostic mammography in Tasmania an access issue for Tasmanian women - BCNA

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) remains “deeply concerned” about the lack of access to diagnostic imaging in the public system in the south of Tasmania.

In an open letter, BCNA – Australia's leading voice for Australians affected by breast cancer – is calling on all candidates contesting the 2024 state election to commit to fixing the problem and restore basic rights to healthcare for Tasmanian women.

“Despite some progress towards a long-term solution, the problem persists today and BCNA continues to hear worrying stories of women who have a breast cancer symptom and have nowhere to go,” BCNA’s Director of Policy, Advocacy & Support Services Vicki Durston says.

This service is vital in ensuring the timely diagnosis of women who present to their GP with symptoms of breast cancer and differs from BreastScreen Tasmania, which is for the population screening of women with no signs of breast cancer and is fully operational.

Speaking in Hobart where she is meeting politicians on all sides about restoring basic healthcare rights for women in southern Tasmania by providing public mammography imaging, Ms Durston said breast cancer can’t wait.

“It is totally unacceptable that women in this position are having to travel as far as even Melbourne for these crucial tests,” she said.

“For six years we have been highlighting the significant and consequential delays in diagnosing symptomatic women with breast cancer due to the lack of a public imaging services across the state.

“For six years we have been calling for action.

“For six years we been working with both the Tasmanian and Federal governments for diagnostic imaging in the public health system for southern Tasmania.

“And yet women are still calling our Helpline, and contacting the media, saying they have nowhere to go.”

In 2018, $3 million in Federal Government funding was allocated to Tasmania - off the back of BCNA’s advocacy - to help establish public new mammography services. BCNA says there is currently no evidence this money has been used to establish this service.

“In the short term we are demanding solutions, including emergency travel subsidies and partnerships with private clinics so women in southern Tasmania can get the urgent tests they need now,” Ms Durston said.

Read the Open Letter  

Media enquiries:   

Anna Malbon
Communications Specialist 
03 9805 2540
media@bcna.org.au