Eligibility
For women aged 50 to 74 regular breast screens are the best way to find breast cancers early. Make the choice that’s right for you.
Age
Women under 40 are not eligible to attend BreastScreen NSW.
If you’re under 40 and concerned about your risk of breast cancer (including family history) you should discuss this with your doctor.
Women under 40 are at a much lower risk of developing breast cancer.2527
Breast screening can also be less effective for women under 40 due to higher breast density which can make it harder to see small cancers on a mammogram.
Learn about screening for dense breast tissue.
It is still important to be breast aware and know what is normal for you. If you notice any breast changes or symptoms, such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
Yes, you are eligible and welcome to attend BreastScreen NSW.
Please talk to your doctor first about your personal risk and to find out if breast screening is right for you.
It is recommended that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women screen from age 40.
More than 75% of breast cancers are found in women aged over 50.1471 While cancer can occur in younger women in their 40s, it is less common.
It’s important to note that breast screening can be less effective for women in this age group. This is because higher breast density can make it more difficult to see a cancer on a mammogram.
We invite women aged 50–74 for a breast screen every 2 years because more than 75% of breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 50.1471 Evidence shows that breast screens (mammograms) are most effective for women in this age group.1550
We also welcome women aged 40–49 and 75+ for a free breast screen every 2 years, if you or your GP think breast screening is right for you.
Yes, you are eligible and welcome to attend BreastScreen NSW.
You will no longer receive invitations from age 75, however you can contact us to make a booking.
Please talk to your doctor to find out if breast screening is right for you.
Residency and travel
If you are aged 40 or over and are eligible for Medicare, you are eligible to attend BreastScreen NSW for free regular breast screens. If you plan to travel after your breast screen, please tell our booking staff when you make your appointment on 13 20 50 so we know where to send your results. It is important that you do not travel 2-4 weeks after your breast screen in case you need further tests.
If you are aged 40 or over and are eligible for Medicare, you are eligible to attend BreastScreen NSW for free regular breast screens. If you plan to travel after your breast screen, please tell our booking staff when you make your appointment on 13 20 50 so we know where to send your results. It is important that you do not travel 2-4 weeks after your breast screen in case we need to see you for further tests.
Some visitors to Australia have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements. The health care services available under these Agreements vary depending on the country you are visiting from. Learn more about each Reciprocal Health Care Agreement here.
If you plan to travel after your breast screen, please tell our booking staff when you make your appointment by calling 13 20 50 so we know where to send your results. We recommend that you do not travel 2-4 weeks after your breast screen in case we need to see you for further tests.
Please contact us to update your address when you move. BreastScreen Australia is a national program and free breast screening is available at more than 750 locations across Australia. You can call 13 20 50 to book a breast screen no matter where you live in Australia.
Past or current breast cancer
If you have had breast cancer within the past 5 years, we recommend you see your treating doctor or specialist for regular check-ups. You are eligible to resume regular breast screening 5 years after your diagnosis and once you are no longer under the care of your treating doctor or specialist.
If you notice any changes in your breasts or symptoms such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
Screening mammography alone is not appropriate for the investigation of a sign or symptom. Breast signs and symptoms require thorough and prompt investigation. Your doctor is the appropriate person to coordinate this.
Family history
About 5% of breast cancers are due to a strong family history or genetic mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2.1522
We may recommend that you have an annual breast screen from age 40 if you:
- have a first-degree relative (such as a parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50
- are assessed by BreastScreen NSW as needing more frequent monitoring
- are assessed by your doctor as being high risk, and they notify us in writing.
If you have a blood relative diagnosed with breast cancer over 50 years old and no other contributing factors, then you are at similar risk to developing breast cancer as the general population. You will be offered a breast screen every 2 years.
Speak to your doctor if you are worried about your family history of breast cancer. You should inform your doctor and BreastScreen NSW about any new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in your family since your last breast screen.
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre iPrevent™ breast cancer risk assessment tool is designed to help women and their doctors assess the risk of breast cancer.
Genetic counselling can also help to clarify if you are at increased risk based on your family history.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnant women are not recommended to have a breast screen.
If you notice any symptoms or unusual changes in your breasts, even while pregnant, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
A breast screen is less effective while women are breastfeeding, because of changes to the breast tissue. For this reason, we recommend that women wait at least 3 months, and preferably 6 months, after they stop breastfeeding to come for their mammogram. If you have any further questions about visiting BreastScreen NSW while breastfeeding, please call 13 20 50 to speak to one of our staff.
If you notice any symptoms or unusual changes in your breasts, even while breastfeeding, please see your doctor as soon as possible.
Implants, dense breasts and other concerns
Most women with breast implants can still have breast screens.
Please let us know about your breast implants when booking and again at your appointment.
Some important things to know:
- Our radiographers are specially trained in obtaining the best images possible. It does not matter what type of implant you have or if it is inserted over or under your chest muscle.
- Women with breast implants may need more x-rays to be taken. This means there is slightly more radiation exposure than women without implants. Breast screen machines use the smallest amount of radiation possible while still taking high-quality x-ray images.1537 The benefits of a breast screen still outweigh any risks from radiation exposure.
- Your radiographer will use special imaging techniques so that the least amount of compression is applied to the implant. There is a very small chance the breast screen could break up scar tissue that has grown around your implant. This is not harmful but could affect the shape and texture of your breasts. If you are concerned about this, speak to your doctor before you screen.
Yes, women with pacemakers or other implantable devices can have regular breast screens.
Please let us know about your device when booking and again at your appointment.
Higher breast density is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.1524 Breast density also has an impact on screening effectiveness, as it can mask or hide cancers. This is because dense tissue and breast cancers both appear white on an x-ray.
Even with dense breasts, a breast screen every 2 years is still the most effective population-based screening tool to detect breast cancer early in women without symptoms aged 50-74.1539
If you have concerns about your breast density, speak to your doctor about your personal risk and the options for other tests.
Breast density is one risk factor for breast cancer. Research shows that many women have dense breasts. It’s not clear why some women have more dense breast tissue but being younger, having a lower body mass index and taking hormone therapy for menopause are all factors associated with higher breast density.2671
You may not know if you have dense breast tissue and that is ok. A breast screen is still the most effective way of reducing breast cancer deaths in the population of women aged 50-74, including for women with dense breasts.1539
At present, most women who are asked to come back for further tests following their initial BreastScreen NSW appointment are informed of their breast density, based on an assessment by specialist doctors.
BreastScreen NSW continuously reviews emerging evidence around breast cancer screening for women and is currently evaluating technology to accurately measure and categorise breast density as part of the BreastScreen NSW program.
There is currently no established pathway in Australia for the ongoing care and additional surveillance for women with dense and extremely dense breast tissue. BreastScreen NSW will continue to monitor this situation and advise of updates as appropriate.
If you are concerned about breast density and your breast cancer risk, please discuss this with your GP.
Yes. Regular breast screens are recommended for cis women using menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Regular breast screens are recommended for trans women aged 50 to 74 who have been using gender-affirming hormones for five or more years, or from the age of 40 if you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. For more information, visit our information for trans and gender diverse people page.
