BCAC welcomes new figures released by the Government last week (February 10, 2012) that show nearly 40,000 more women aged 50 to 69 have taken part in the Government’s free breast cancer screening programme in the 24 months to October 2011 than in the previous two years.
A total of 344,268 women participated in breast screening through BreastScreen Aotearoa in the two years ending in October 2011, compared with 305,839 women between 2007 and 2009.
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew says, "Within the overall increase, the percentage of Māori women and Pacific women taking part on the programme has had the greatest increase. Those numbers increased by 5138 Maori and 3038 Pacific in that time period.
“Maori and Pacific women are less likely to have breast screening, so it is very encouraging to see figures for these groups increasing.”
Libby Burgess, BCAC Chair, comments, “It really is pleasing to hear that more women, particularly Māori and Pacific women, are being screened in the national programme. Early detection and treatment offer patients the best chance of success in beating breast cancer and this is the reason that regular screening is so important.”
Breast screening using mammography is able to detect very small cancers before a lump can be felt in the breast.
Free breast screening for women aged 45 to 69 years is provided through BreastScreen Aotearoa.
For further information about breast screening, or to make an appointment, women can ring freephone 0800 270 200 or 0508 THE GIRLS, or see the website www.nsu.govt.nz
