Funding supports and extra 10,000 Breast Screens Each Year

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing announced last Friday a $1.35 million a year boost to support an extra 10,000 free appointments with BreastScreen Victoria every year.

As the population grows it is important to ensure the service grows as well to make sure it is available to all women, regardless of location or background.

“Demand for lifesaving breast screens is growing rapidly. An extra 10,000 appointments will ensure BreastScreen Victoria can screen record numbers of women, no matter where they live,” the minister said.

Finding breast cancer early before any symptoms are noticed, and when treatment is more likely to be successful, gives women the best chance of survival.

Thanks to earlier detection and better treatments, more women are winning their battle against breast cancer, with the five-year survival rate now at 91 per cent compared to 73 per cent in 1986.

Victorian women aged between 50 and 74 are encouraged to have a free, two-yearly breast screen with BreastScreen Victoria by calling 13 20 50 or booking online.