Most Australian women live within 20 minutes of free breast screening
More than 9 in 10 Australian women live within a 20-minute drive of a permanent or visiting BreastScreen Australia screening service in 2021, according to a new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Information in the Access to BreastScreen Australia screening services report helps build the evidence base to guide service delivery and planning, including the optimal allocation of screening services to reduce barriers to mammogram access.
The report presents the findings in an interactive map based on information about screening services and demographic data at a local level.
The majority (94%) of women aged 50–74 live within a 20-minute drive of a permanent or visiting BreastScreen screening service. However, access to these services can be challenging for those in Very remote areas, especially for First Nations women.
In 2022, breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with ageing being the greatest risk factor. However, participation in early screening can reduce illness and death.
BreastScreen operates screening services in all Australian states and territories with around 161 permanent and 664 visiting sites. All women in Australia aged over 40 years may be eligible for a free screening mammogram every 2 years.
Breast cancer mortality has decreased in women aged 50–74 since the BreastScreen program began – from 74 deaths per 100,000 women in 1991, to around 43 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. First Nations women aged 50–74 had a higher mortality rate than non-Indigenous women, but a lower incidence of breast cancer and lower participation in screening.
The National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030 sets a breast screening participation rate target of at least 65% of women aged 50–74 by 2025. However, the participation rate was just 35% for First Nations women and 48% for non-Indigenous women within that age range in 2020–2021. Participation was lowest among women aged 50–74 who lived in Very remote areas (37%). The COVID-19 pandemic caused services to reduce capacity which impacted participation across Australia.
Notes:
· Information about eligibility for free breast screens is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website: Who should have a breast screen
· We acknowledge state and territory BreastScreen services who provided service data and valuable advice.