Friday 24th November 2017
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh has encouraged local women aged over 50 to have a free screening mammogram every two years.
The call follows the release of results by BreastScreen Victoria this week showing that 59% of the eligible female population in the Murray Plains electorate underwent screening between 2014 and 2016.
Mr Walsh said while the figure was above the state average of 54% it was paramount that more women took up the opportunity to have a free breast screen.
“The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman over 50 years of age” he said.
“Whilst I am encouraged that we are above the Victorian average and that so many women in the Murray Plains electorate are participating in this vital program I am concerned about the 4020 eligible women who have not been screened.
“We need to see a much higher participation rate among women in the 50-69 year age bracket if we are to achieve substantial reductions in mortality from breast cancer.”
Mr Walsh said 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are aged over 50.
“Regular breast screens are the best way to find breast cancer early and when treatment is most likely to be successful.
“A breast screen takes 10 minutes it is with a woman and it is free.”
No doctor’s referral is needed and appointments can be made by contacting 132050.
The BreastScreen Mobile Screening Unit travels across regional Victoria and fixed screen services are also located at Echuca Shepparton and Bendigo.