A free national breast screening programme
For women aged 45 - 69
BreastScreen
Aotearoa
is a free national breast x-ray (mammography) service that helps check for early
breast cancer.
This
programme is offered to all women in New Zealand aged 45 to 69 years who have no
symptoms. It aims to reduce the
number of women who die from breast cancer.
The
following information about breast cancer and mammograms (breast x-rays)
may help you make a decision about joining the national breast screening
programme.
WHAT
ARE THE CHANCES OF GETTING BREAST CANCER ?
.
About one in 10 women in New Zealand will
develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
.
The
risk of breast cancer increases with age. Of
those women who get breast
cancer, three-quarters are over 50 years of age.
.
Most
women who develop breast cancer have no close relatives with the disease.
Even among women with a family history of breast cancer, only a very
small
number will be at high risk.
WHAT
SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT MAMMOGRAMS ?
Mammograms are breast x-rays.
When you have a mammogram, the radiographer who takes the x-ray will
place each breast in turn between two plates on the x-ray machine.
The plates hold the breast firmly for a few seconds while the pictures
are taken. Many women find this
uncomfortable; a few find it painful. It
does not harm the breasts.
MAMMOGRAMS
. .
.
.
can
detect tissue changes in the breast before anything can be seen or felt.
In most cases, any changes detected will not be
cancer.
.
are
particularly effective in women over 50 years of age who have mammograms every two years.
.
can
detect about 90% of all unsuspected cancers.
However, in some cases an x-ray
may indicate that something is not
quite right when in fact all is well (false positive
result). Or an x-ray may
fail to pick up a cancer (false negative result).
.
cannot
prevent breast cancer, and cannot always prevent death from breast cancer.
They can only detect breast cancer - but early detection means early
treatment and a
Better chance of a successful outcome.
.
are
relatively safe because only very small amounts of radiation are used.
WHAT
DOES BREASTSCREEN AOTEAROA OFFER ?
If you are aged 45 to 69 years, the programme
offers you free mammograms (with free follow up, if necessary) every two years.
Your mammograms will be checked by at least two radiologists (doctors who
specialise in reading x-rays). They
will check for small cancers and will compare your mammograms with any previous
ones taken by the programme to see if there are any changes in your breasts.
WHAT
ABOUT MY RESULTS ?
The programme will send your results to you
within two weeks of having your mammogram.
.
For
most women the result will be normal and they will be asked to return for their
next mammogram in two years.
.
However,
a small number of women will be phoned for a second appointment because
something needs further checking. This
may involve further x-rays, an ultrasound and/or
taking a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope.
Most women recalled
will not have breast cancer.
.
The
few women who do have breast cancer will be referred to a specialist for
treatment. Most women with
breast cancer will have surgery to remove the cancer.
CONFIDENTIALITY
We are aware that this is very important to
women.
The programme has a legal obligation to adhere
to the terms of the Health Information Privacy Code. You will receive more information about confidentiality when
you are invited to, or attend, a BreastScreen Aotearoa Centre.
Once you have had your mammogram, the results
will be sent directly to you. They
will also be sent to your doctor if you have agreed to this.
HOW
DO I JOIN BREASTSCREEN AOTEAROA ?
If you are aged 45 to 69 years, you may get a letter inviting you to join the breast screening programme, or you may decide to make an appointment for yourself by contacting the BreastScreen Aotearoa centre nearest you. Or speak with your doctor. Register now by clicking on the "Register" button and entering your full name, date of birth and day time phone number.
HOW
DO I MAKE CONTACT WITH BREASTSCREEN AOTEAROA ?
Contact details of your nearest centre may be in
the box at the end of this leaflet. If
not, look in your phone book under BreastScreen Aotearoa, or ring 0800
270 200 and your call will be put through to the nearest centre.
HAVING
A MAMMOGRAM WITH BREASTSCREEN AOTEAROA
.
On
the day of your mammogram avoid using talcum powder, creams or deodorants as they can make the x-ray
film difficult to read.
.
Wear
a blouse or jersey as you will need to undress from the waist up.
.
Every
care will be taken to ensure privacy when you have your mammogram.
.
The
radiographer (x-ray taker) will want you to be as comfortable as possible.
Discuss any concerns with her.
.
Bring
your reading glasses - you may need to fill in a form or read something.
.
Bring
your doctor's name if you want them to get your results.
.
You
may bring a support person with you if you wish.
.
The
whole visit should only take about 30 minutes.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information on mammograms and the
national programme read the booklet "BreastScreen
Aotearoa: More about
BreastScreening and the National Breast Screening Programme" available
from your nearest BreastScreen Aotearoa centre; or talk with a staff member from
the centre.
The choice to
have mammograms
is yours
To contact you nearest
BreastScreen Aotearoa Centre
ring 0800 270 200
19-10-2007
