NSW lowers the recommended breast screening age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women

By Liam Jennings

The NSW Government is working to increase breast screening participation among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to improve their breast cancer outcomes. In a groundbreaking initiative, the Putuwa project, led by Cancer Institute NSW, has lowered the starting age for breast screening from 50 to 40 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, while also enhancing the cultural safety of the BreastScreen NSW service.

Since the project’s launch in 2023, participation rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in NSW aged 40 to 49 have more than doubled (7.8% to 16.7%). The Putuwa project has been rolled out across all BreastScreen NSW sites to address disparities in breast cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, who are diagnosed on average four years earlier and tend to have more advanced cancer at diagnosis, leading to poorer survival rates compared to the broader female population.

The project promotes culturally safe screening by working closely with the Aboriginal health workforce, developing culturally sensitive materials like posters and fact sheets, and incorporating Aboriginal artwork.

BreastScreen NSW established the Putuwa project with support from the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, in collaboration with Screening and Assessment Services, and key Aboriginal stakeholders and agencies.

BreastScreen NSW is a free service, with female staff performing the screening, which takes less than 20 minutes. No referral from a doctor is required.

BreastScreen NSW recommends:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have a mammogram every two years from age 40.
• Non-Aboriginal women have a mammogram every two years from age 50. Breast screening is available from the age of 40.
• Anyone with breast symptoms should contact their GP or health worker without delay.
• Any woman with a family history of breast cancer should discuss their needs with their GP.

BreastScreen NSW aims to provide a safe place of care. To book in a breast screen, call 13 20 50 or book online.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“NSW is proud to lead the way in efforts to reduce the disparity in cancer outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.”

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Aboriginal women in NSW but the good news is that breast cancer screening can detect cancers before they can be seen or felt, and when found early, almost all breast cancers can be successfully treated.”

“Early detection is key to saving lives and reducing the impact of breast cancer in the Aboriginal community.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris:

“The NSW Government’s commitment to achieving its Closing the Gap priorities emphasises the need to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

“This reduction in the breast screening age will ensure Aboriginal women will be able to access essential healthcare services earlier to have a better chance of achieving optimal health outcomes.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Women Jodie Harrison:

“Putting off something like a mammogram can seem all too easy in our busy lives.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are traditionally under-represented in the breast screening program, so as part of the Putuwa project we’re lowering the screening age and delivering it in a culturally safe way.

“I encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women over 40 to book in for a free potentially life-saving breast screen today.

“Improving the screening rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is part of our broader effort to lift their overall health and wellbeing.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM

“We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience poorer survival rates from breast cancer, are diagnosed with more advanced cancers and are underrepresented in routine breast screening.”

“Addressing the unacceptable disparity in breast cancer outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women is a priority and the Putuwa project is one of the ways Cancer Institute NSW is partnering with Aboriginal communities to create meaningful change.”

“We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to stay healthy for yourself and your family by having a regular breast screen.”

Quotes attributable to Gomeroi Elder Jacqui Khan

“I went for my breast screen at the breast screen service, and I was called back because they’d found something and they wanted to do more tests. It’s just hearing that word cancer, it puts the wind up you and to find out that it was already travelling and invasive, that was really scary for me.”

“I would encourage my Aboriginal women to go and have a breast screen done so we can stay strong, black and deadly for our Jargens and survive another 60,000 years.”

“The breast screen van travels around to all communities in NSW so the women can access the van for an appointment and go and have their breast screen done, there’s really no excuse, it’s free and it only takes 20 minutes.”

Quotes attributable to Kristie O’Neill

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41, resulting in a double mastectomy due to the size of the mass found.  If I had found the cancer a year earlier, I may still have my breasts.”

“In my experience, my forty-year-old friends are in the peak of their careers or their parenting or trying to do both really well. Our health often comes last so providing women with an opportunity to proactively screen for breast cancer is a wonderful step in the right direction.”