Increasing breast screening rates in our community

Increasing breast screening rates in our community

​In our community there are currently 21,346 women who are overdue for their next breast screen.

19 June, 2019

In our community there are currently 21,346 women who are overdue for their next breast screen. 

Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) have funded BreastScreen Victoria to implement a range of interventions to increase breast cancer awareness and screening rates in our community. 

Women who have not had a breast screen in the last 27 months will receive reminders in the form of a SMS, calls in their native language or letters to remind them of the importance of regular screens and invite them to schedule an appointment. 

Calls can be made in Mandarin, Cantonese, Greek and Italian to ensure that the diverse community of east and north eastern Melbourne are reached. 

Women who have recently turned 50 will also receive letters inviting them to have a breast screen as 75% of all breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50.  

Women aged 50-74 are recommended to have a breast screen every two years as research shows that screening is most effective in detecting early breast cancer in women in this age group. 

Women aged 50-74 can make a booking for their biannually breast screen at any time by calling 13 20 50 or 13 14 50 with an interpreter.