Breast screening extension will save lives – just like it did for Rita
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ is celebrating a landmark moment for women’s health today as the Government officially extends breast screening nationwide to women aged up to 74.
After campaigning for eight years to increase the screening age limit from 69 to 74, the Foundation’s Chair, Justine Smyth, says the national roll-out marks a significant victory for early detection.
“A woman’s risk of breast cancer is actually higher at 70 than it is at 50, which is why we campaigned so hard to get the age limit raised,” Justine says.
“Thanks to the extension, more women will have the chance to detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. And early detection means less invasive treatment, faster recovery, and most importantly – more lives saved.”
The national roll-out follows the success of a year-long pilot in the Nelson-Marlborough district, where Nelson woman Rita was one of the first to benefit from the age extension.
After turning 74 last April, Rita received an invitation for one more free mammogram. Rita considers herself lucky that she was at the right place at the right time, having moved to Nelson 11 years ago, because that mammogram detected stage 1 breast cancer.
“It all seemed quite positive because they kept saying it was caught at an early stage and still very small. I had surgery and was relieved to learn the cancer hadn’t spread, so I didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation treatment,” Rita says.
“A nurse told me things could’ve turned out very differently for me if I’d not had that mammogram when I did. I had been naïve in thinking I was no longer at risk of breast cancer when screening stopped at 69. I know many other women think that too, but my story shows that certainly isn’t the case.
“I was very lucky to be diagnosed in time, and I’m so pleased more women can now have that same chance. That extra mammogram could be all the difference, so I’d encourage women to take that opportunity.”
Around 350 women aged 70-74 are diagnosed with breast cancer in New Zealand each year. Breast Cancer Foundation NZ first began calling for the screening age extension in 2016, with a 10,000-strong petition delivered to Parliament supporting this move. Modelling by the Foundation shows that older women who continue with breast screening will have a 42% lower risk of dying from breast cancer. Extending screening to 74 brings NZ into line with Australia, Canada, France, Sweden, UK and many other countries.