Who Can Have a Breastscreen?
The Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program selects women for screening on the basis of age, because age is the best known risk factor for breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer rises rapidly with age. Over 75 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50, and approximately 95 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 40. Current research shows that the effectiveness of regular breast cancer screening is different for different age groups.
Women aged 50 to 69 years
The target group for the Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program is women aged 50 to 69 years as this is the age group where the benefits from screening have been most clearly demonstrated. Over 75 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50.
The Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program aims to achieve a 70 per cent participation rate in this age group.
Women aged 40 to 49 years
Women aged 40 to 49 years are eligible for a free breastscreen every two years at a BreastScreen Queensland Service. However, the benefits of population screening of women in this age group are not yet clear. Research suggests that the benefit of regular screening for individual women increases as the woman ages from 40 to 49 years and where there is a family history of breast cancer.
Women in this age group who have attended for a breastscreen at a local BreastScreen Queensland Service will be sent a letter of invitation for a re-screen when they are due in two years time or annually in some cases where appropriate.
Women aged 70 to 74 years
Women aged 70 to 74 years are eligible for a free breastscreen every two years at a BreastScreen Queensland Service and will continue to be sent a letter of invitation for a re-screen when they are due in two years time.
For women aged over 70 years, research does not give a clear answer about the benefits of regular screening for breast cancer. However, there is some evidence to suggest that the benefits of regular breast cancer screening continue up to, and including, the age of 74.
Women aged over 74 years
For women aged over 74 years, there is less evidence that regular breast cancer screening prolongs life. Current research shows that no reduction in deaths from breast cancer has been associated with screening women 75 years and older. However, for individual women of this age, with a long life expectancy, continuation of breast cancer screening every two years may be beneficial.
Women in this age group who wish to maintain good health and continue to attend a BreastScreen Queensland Service for a free breastscreen are eligible and can arrange an appointment for a free breastscreen every two years. Continuation in the BreastScreen Queensland Program for women in this age group is best determined on an individual basis by the woman and her doctor. For more information, refer to the Women Over 74 Years information sheet.
Women under 40 years
Women under 40 years are not eligible for free breast cancer screening with the Queensland Health BreastScreen Queensland Program for a number of reasons:
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The incidence of breast cancer is lower among women under 40 years. One in 11 Queensland women will develop breast cancer at some stage during their lifetime. Of these, approximately 95 per cent will occur in women over 40.
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As yet, there is no evidence that screening mammography is effective in finding early stages of breast cancer for women under 40 years. International research shows that mammographic screening is most effective for detecting early breast cancer in women aged 50 to 69 years.
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The tissue of a younger woman's breast tends to be more dense/thicker than that of older women due to the influence of hormones. On a breastscreen, dense breast tissue shows up as a solid white area making small cancers, which also show up white, almost impossible to see.
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There is some concern that regular mammography may be harmful to younger breast tissue. Women who start having breastscreens at an earlier age will receive more radiation over their lifetime which may also be harmful.
At present the best advice for women under 40 years of age is to regularly examine their breasts for changes and seek medical advice promptly if they are concerned at all about any changes. It is also important for women to have their breasts examined by their doctor as part of their regular health check. More information about breast cancer screening and women under 40 years can be found in the I'm Under 40. Is BreastScreen Queensland for Me? information sheet.
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