Breast cancer screening

Screening is the best way to find breast cancer early. The aim is to detect cancer before it has the chance to spread to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body.

Detecting breast cancer early gives you the best chance of treatments that can cure the cancer, leading to increased survival.

It’s also important to examine your breasts regularly.

BCNA does not provide breast screening services. You can book online and find out more from BreastScreen Australia.

What is a breast screen?

Breast screening, also called mammography or a mammogram, is a low dose X-ray examination of your breasts. It can sometimes detect breast cancer before you notice any signs or symptoms.

BreastScreen Australia is the free national breast screening program. It aims to find breast cancer early, when treatment is likely to be most successful.

Eligibility for free breast screening

Women aged 40+

If you don’t have any breast symptoms, you can book a free mammogram every 2 years through BreastScreen. Women with symptoms should see their GP.

Women aged 50 to 74

You’ll receive an invitation from BreastScreen every 2 years to have a mammogram. More than 75% of breast cancers are in women aged 50 to 74 so this group is targeted.

People at any age who have increased risk 

You may be offered free mammograms each year if you have an increased of developing breast cancer, for example because of a family history.

People at any age who have very high risk 

If you are very high-risk, for example due to genetic mutation, you should talk to your GP about a more tailored screening program. This may include more regular imaging (MRI) at a private imaging clinic, outside the BreastScreen program. 

For women under 40

Mammographic screening is less effective in detecting breast cancer before 40. If you’re concerned you may have a higher risk of breast cancer, you should talk to your GP. A breast ultrasound or MRI may be better.

How breast density can affect breast cancer detection

A mammogram measures and compares the different types of tissue in the breast. On a mammogram:

• fatty tissue appears as dark areas
• glandular and connective tissues appear as white areas

Cancers (tumours or lesions) also appear as white. This means tumours can be hidden or ‘masked’ by white areas of healthy glandular and connective breast tissue.

As a result, it is sometimes difficult to detect breast cancer early if you have dense breasts. Read Know your breast density to understand the different levels.

The best screening tool to detect breast cancer is still mammography, even if you have dense breasts. However, in women with dense breasts the risks are higher that something small may be missed.

The Information Forum on Mammographic Density (INFORMD) has a video to explain breast density and why it is important.

Clinical trials are look at better ways to screen for breast cancer, such as using ultrasound and MRI. Anyone with very high breast density and other risk factors should discuss these options with their doctor.

Find a BreastScreen clinic

There are more than 750 BreastScreen locations around Australia, including permanent clinics and mobile units.

You can attend any clinic by making an appointment. Call 13 20 50 or book online in your state or territory:

• BreastScreen ACT
• BreastScreen NSW
• BreastScreen NT
• BreastScreen Queensland
• BreastScreen SA
• BreastScreen Tasmania
• BreastScreen Victoria
• BreastScreen WA. 

Be aware of changes between mammograms

Breast cancers can develop between screening mammograms. In some women, cancer is not detected until after they develop symptoms and go to their doctor. These are called ‘interval’ cancers. Even if you have regular mammograms, you should still:

• examine your breasts regularly, and
• see your doctor if you notice any change in your breasts.

See How to check your breasts to know the signs to look out for.