Almost 4500 Sunbury women have not taken advantage of free breast screens in recent years, and Hume’s ‘pink mayor’ Helen Patsikatheodorou wants them to get their priorities right.
“I am a statistic; one of the one in eight Victorian women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and so I am acutely aware that this free service can have a substantial impact on people’s lives,” Cr Patsikatheodorou said.
“Perhaps women have been putting off getting their breast screen due to the winter chill – please don’t .”
BreastScreen Victoria’s new Sunbury clinic opened in April and has many appointments available from this week.
Cr Patsikatheodorou said finding a time that fits in with busy schedules has never been easier.
“I am quite concerned that some women have been putting off getting a mammogram,” she said.
Between 2013 and 2015, Sunbury registered a participation rate of 60 per cent for free breast screen services, higher than the statewide average of 54 per cent.
But about 4500 Sunbury area women in the 50-69 age group didn’t have a breast screen, yet 75 per cent of women diagnosed will be over the age of 50, and most will have no family history of the disease.
Cr Patsikatheodorou said a breast screen once every two years could be life-saving.
Appointments at BreastScreen Victoria Sunbury can be made online at breastscreen.org.au or by calling 13 20 50.
