Women in Wangaratta and surrounding areas will now have better access to lifesaving breast cancer screening with the launch of a new BreastScreen Victoria fixed clinic.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today officially opened the new clinic at Northeast Health Wangaratta, which will mean local women over the age of 40 years have free two-yearly mammograms.
Having this fixed clinic in town, instead of a mobile service, means women from across the district can access BreastScreen services all year-round, at a time convenient to them.
The new Wangaratta fixed clinic is expected to deliver 3,500 breast screens in two years.
Nine out of 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease. In Victoria, breast cancer claims the lives of more than 740 women every year. However, the chance of survival continues to improve with the five-year survival rate sitting at 90 per cent.
Finding breast cancer early before any symptoms are noticed, and when treatment is most likely to be successful, gives women the best chance of survival.
BreastScreen Victoria now provides services at 41 permanent screening clinics, two mobile screening vans and eight assessment clinics. The new clinic will free up the mobile van to visit new areas of regional and rural Victoria, so even more women can access this vital service.
In 2015-16, the number of women screened by BreastScreen Victoria was a record of more than 246,000.
This record was made possible through the work of BreastScreen Victoria along with additional funding provided by the Andrews Labor Government and the willingness of women to be screened.
The participation rate of women aged 50-74 years in the BreastScreen Victoria program in Wangaratta is estimated at 59 per cent, which is higher than the state average of 52 per cent.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“We’re putting Wangaratta women first by ensuring they can access lifesaving breast cancer screening and cancer treatment, all year-round and at a time convenient to them.”
“We know that breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, and we know that early diagnosis is the key to survival – that’s why being able to access screening services is so important.”
“With a growing population, it’s vital that we’re investing in and supporting local services like this, so women in Wangaratta can get the healthcare they need sooner, closer to home and their families.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020