The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care has announced a review into the BreastScreen Australia Program (BSA).

This review will ensure that Australian women receive the highest quality breast cancer screening and information. Around 1.8 million women aged 50-74 were screened through BSA in 2021-22.

The Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments, has announced the review following recommendations from the Roadmap to Optimising Screening in Australia (ROSA) project.

The key aims of the review are to:

• put evidence into practice by evaluating current and emerging screening technologies, and screening and assessment pathways, for the early detection of breast cancer
• identify strategies to increase participation and provide equity of access to breast cancer screening
• outline a review model that ensures the BSA is responsive to future evidence of best practice screening. 

An Expert Advisory Group is expected to provide a final report on the Review to Government by the end of 2024.

The BSA is a joint Commonwealth and state and territory funded program, introduced in 1991, which aims to reduce deaths from breast cancer through early detection by providing two yearly free breast screening via mammography.

The program actively invites women in the target age group of 50 to 74 years of age because screening mammograms are known to be effective in reducing deaths from breast cancer in this age group. Women 40 to 49 years of age and 75 years and older are also eligible to receive free screening mammograms but are not actively invited. If you are eligible and would like to book your free screen, please contact BreastScreen Australia on 13 20 50.

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:

“I commend Cancer Council Australia for their work in generating the evidence base to inform the future of breast cancer screening.

“This review is an opportunity to ensure the BreastScreen Australia program stays up to date with the most cutting-edge technology and evidence to detect cancer.”

Link to the official Media Release here.