Breast reminders for older women
National Seniors Australia welcomes the announcement to expand breast screening reminders to women aged 70 to 74 years, but says the program should be extended to also include all women aged 75 years and over.
National Seniors Australia welcomes the announcement to expand breast screening reminders to women aged 70 to 74 years, but says the program should be extended to also include all women aged 75 years and over.
The federal government announced $55.7 million will be allocated in today’s budget for Australian women aged 70 to 74 years to be invited for free breast cancer screening.
Under the BreastScreen Australia program, only women aged between 50 and 69 years get a mammogram reminder, although states may vary this policy.
National Seniors Australia wrote to federal and state governments urging them to include all women aged over 69 years in the breast screening reminder program.
“Whilst we welcome this latest announcement from the government, we do not think it goes far enough for women aged over 75 years,” National Seniors chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said.
An evaluation of the BreastScreen Australia program by a committee of Australian and international experts, showed breast cancer incidence rates for women aged 75 to 79 years are higher than the rates for women aged 50 to 54 years and 55 to 59 years, both of which are included in the target population for the program.
“Given the increase in life expectancy and the contribution to society made by older women, consideration needs to be given to extending these reminders to women aged over 75 years,” Mr O’Neill said.
