New Breast MRI Screening funding is applauded

The Federal Government’s approval of public funding of breast MRI screening has been warmly welcomed by the Breast Cancer Network Australia as at present many women have been unable to afford the screening expense.

The Network’s National Policy Manager, Terri Smith said that “this announcement is wonderful for the many women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer. MRI screening is an expensive process. Many women have been paying for this procedure for a long time as a measure to increase their chances of early detection and improve their chance of survival. Still other women haven’t been able to pay for this additional screening.”

The decision follows the Medical Services Advisory Committee recommendation for the
‘interim public funding for breast MRI in the diagnosis of breast cancer in women with a high risk of developing breast cancer when used as part of an organized surveillance program.
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BCNA, with its membership base of over 20,000, has had public funding MRI screening for women with a strong family breast cancer history as a key priority and will continue to press the Government for an early start to the new benefit.