Our free breast screening program
Early breast cancer detection saves lives. As a population screening program, BreastScreen Victoria’s service is free and for the group in our community proven to benefit most from screening: women and trans and gender diverse people aged 50 to 74, without breast symptoms.
What is a breast screen?
A breast screen, also known as a mammogram, is a low-dose x-ray (image) of the breast that checks for breast cancer.
Breast screens can find cancers that are too small to feel. The sooner the cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be.
What happens at a breast screen appointment?
At your screening appointment, we’ll take 2 x-rays of each breast – one from the top and one from the side. We then send your x-rays to 2 radiologists (a doctor who interprets the x-rays) for review.
In a small number of women, the x-rays will show possible signs of breast cancer. If that’s the case for you, we’ll contact you to attend an assessment appointment, which will include further tests. Most clients who are called back for further tests do not have breast cancer. If it is your first breast screen, you are more likely to be called back as we will not have any x-ray images on record to compare against.
Read more about the BreastScreen experience.
About BreastScreen Victoria
BreastScreen Victoria is contracted by the Victorian Department of Health to deliver free breast screens in Victoria. Our work:
- Is part of the national breast cancer screening program, BreastScreen Australia (BSA) – funded jointly by the Australian State and Territory Governments
- Supports and reports into the Victorian Cancer Screening Framework and the Victorian Cancer Plan 2021–2024 (Screening and Early Detection)
- Is quality assured and accredited under the BSA National Accreditation program
- Is overseen against the National Accreditation Standards by the National Quality Management Committee
- Is quality assured through our Quality and Clinical Governance Framework
Are you eligible for our free breast screening service?
Breast screening is the most effective test to find breast cancer early, reducing breast cancer deaths and the impact of treatment among women aged 50 to 74.
We invite women in this age group to have a breast screen every 2 years. Although our service is also available to women aged 40 to 49 and over 74 years, we recommend those in this age group to speak to a doctor to see if breast screening is the right option for you based on overall personal risk for breast cancer.
Our service is for women with no breast symptoms. If you have any unusual symptoms or if you notice that the look and feel of your breast has changed, see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may then request a diagnostic mammogram to look at your specific symptoms.
Learn more about breast symptoms
Learn more about the best test for people with breast symptoms
How we reach the community
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) provides BreastScreen Victoria with the full name, date of birth, and address of women aged 50 to 74 who are living in Victoria.
We only use this information to invite women to attend our service.
If you’d like to be discharged from our program please call us on 13 20 50.
Our purpose and focus areas
As a population screening program, BreastScreen Victoria reduces the impact of breast cancer and saves lives through early detection.
Working as one team with our staff across our network of screening clinics, and assessment services, we draw on client feedback to provide high-quality and inclusive client care.
Our work is guided by 4 focus areas:
Client first
You come first in everything we do.
We seek your contribution to the planning and delivery of a service that provides a quality experience.
One BreastScreen Victoria team
All our service units work as one cohesive and integrated team with a shared vision and purpose. Our focus is on delivering the
best possible health outcomes.
A high-quality service
Continuous quality improvement is central to our work. We ensure high-quality, evidence-based services that meet your needs throughout your experience.
Supporting diversity and inclusion
We support diverse communities who may be less likely to come to BreastScreen. We help you understand the importance of screening and improve your access to our culturally safe and inclusive service.
Why breast screening is important
Dr Alia Kaderbhai is a GP and BreastScreen Victoria GP Advisor. She describes the BreastScreen Australia program.
Delivering a service that’s inclusive and accessible
We understand the importance of our service being inclusive and accessible. This means understanding and addressing the barriers that can stop certain communities from accessing breast screening.
We run targeted programs to increase breast screening in priority community groups who are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Sexuality and gender diverse
- Living with disability
- From low socio-economic backgrounds
- From regional and rural Victorian communities
Improving health outcomes for our community
BreastScreen Victoria encourages women to have a breast screen every 2 years to detect breast cancer as early as possible – and to feel reassured about their breast health.
The uptake of our services has led to better health outcomes and a reduction of the disease in Victoria and across Australia.
