About Us
History
In June 1990, after a two-year evaluation of breast cancer screening in Australia, the Australian Institute of Health report "Breast Cancer Screening in Australia: Future Directions" was endorsed by the Australian Health Minister's Conference. This report became the blueprint for the establishment of the National Program for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer, now known as BreastScreen Australia in July 1991.
At this time, Queensland Health, through an agreement with the Commonwealth Government, established a free statewide breast cancer screening program known as BreastScreen Queensland. Since the commencement of the BreastScreen Queensland Program in 1991, 11 fixed site screening and assessment services, 12 satellite (screening only) services, four relocatable services and four mobile services operate throughout Queensland. The differing levels and types of local services established throughout Queensland have been determined by the geographical distribution of the eligible population, with due consideration being given to the special needs of women in less densely populated rural and remote areas.
All BreastScreen Queensland Services are required to be regularly accredited to ensure they comply with the BreastScreen Australia National Accreditation Standards and achieve a high standard of service provision.
Aim
The aim of the Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program is to provide high quality, accessible and cost effective breast cancer screening services to eligible women, using mammography to find breast cancers early, and provide the best chance of reducing the mortality and morbidity associated with this disease.
The Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program aims to screen 70 per cent of women in the target age group of 50 to 69 years, every two years. Research has shown that a 25 to 30 per cent reduction in mortality from breast cancer is possible if 70 per cent of women aged 50 to 69 years participate in breast cancer screening every two years.
Role of the State Coordination Unit
The State Coordination Unit is part of the Cancer Screening Services Unit, Public Health Services Queensland Health. The State Coordination Unit is responsible for statewide coordination and leadership in strategic planning and implementation of the Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program in accordance with National and State aims.
The State Coordination Unit liaises with breast cancer screening and assessment services, Health Service Districts, relevant peak organisations, health and other relevant professionals and the media on all issues relevant to the provision of efficient, effective and accessible breast cancer screening and assessment services throughout Queensland.
Clinical advice for the Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program is provided by a Quality Management Committee comprising representatives from all clinical and medical disciplines involved with breast cancer screening and assessment.
Role of the screening and assessment services
Breast cancer screening and assessment local services are offered at Health Service Districts and provide free breast cancer screening services for eligible women throughout Queensland in accordance with Queensland Health and BreastScreen Queensland policies and protocols that meet National Accreditation Standards.
Breast cancer screening and assessment services have a specific geographical catchment area based on Health Service District boundaries, with some variations to reflect the natural flow of women to services, in order to achieve annual recruitment targets.
Breast cancer screening and assessment services operate within a multidisciplinary team environment involving specially trained radiologists, surgeons, radiographers, pathologists, nurses, medical officers, health promotion officers, data and administrative officers.
BreastScreen Queensland Registry
The BreastScreen Queensland Registry forms part of the State Coordination Unit and provides a centralised repository of client screening and assessment data available to all BreastScreen Queensland Services.
The broad functions of the BreastScreen Queensland Registry include:
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a complete screening history for each woman, regardless of where she has been screened within the Program
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centrally produce standard invitation, reminder, result and recruitment letters
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a recruitment facility using the Electoral Roll
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ability to match data with the Queensland Cancer Registry, Death Register and Health Insurance Commission.
Information that would identify clients is not released to anyone outside the Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program without their prior knowledge and consent. For example, the results of a woman's breastscreen will only be forwarded to their doctor if the woman has given her consent for the release of this information. All client information kept by the Program is held in strict confidence and is protected by Queensland state legislation. Security procedures are in place throughout the Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program to prevent breaches of privacy or confidentiality. For further details, contact the BreastScreen Queensland Registry on 1800 777 790 (toll free). Further information can be found in the Use of Electoral Roll information sheet.
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