The Importance of Breast Health

Getting a call back for a specialist appointment wasn’t something that North Brisbane resident Terece Edgar was expecting following her regular breast screen.

“I was absolutely terrified when I was told that I had to get an extra mammogram after they had found a density in my breast,” Mrs Edgar said.

Terece, who recently went for her regular two year check up at the BreastScreen Queensland Clinic at David Jones in the city, needed to attend a second appointment to see the specialist team at Chermside.

“Everyone at the Chermside Breastscreen Clinic made me feel reassured and safe,” Mrs Edgar said.

“It is clearly being delivered by people who know what they are doing and who care about what they do. I felt absolutely reassured there was no better place I could have been, and was so happy when I got the all clear.”

BreastScreen Queensland Brisbane Northside Service Director Dr Jane Brazier congratulated Terece and the 43,000 local women in North Brisbane for making the time to look after their breast health by ensuring that they had regular breast screens every two years.

“Finding time to look after your own health can sometimes be difficult, especially with busy careers, family lives and hectic schedules,” Dr Brazier said.

“It is so important that every woman aged between 50 and 74 sets aside a small amount of time to schedule and attend a breast screen every two years – it’s very easy and accessible.

“For women aged 50 to 74 a regular breast screen is the best way to detect breast cancer early and enhancing the effectiveness of treatment.

“Early detection of breast cancer through a regular breast screen has meant that survival rates had increased significantly in recent years with nine out of 10 women surviving breast cancer.

“The national BreastScreen Australia program aims to screen 70 per cent of women aged 50 to 74 years every two years. It is concerning that only 53 per cent of women in this age group are currently receiving regular breast screens through BreastScreen Queensland.”

BreastScreen Queensland Brisbane Northside Service offers a free, comfortable screening service which takes as little as 30 minutes, and is one-on-one with a highly experienced female health professional.

Women who access the free service do not require a referral from a GP. They can visit one of six centres across North Brisbane including Chermside and satellite screening clinics at Keperra, Kippa-Ring, Indooroopilly, North Lakes and in Brisbane City at the David Jone’s Rose Clinic.

Women in their forties and over 75 years are also eligible to have a free breast screen through this service. Phone 13 20 50 for your free breast screen today or book online at www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au