Cowra women are encouraged to make a booking to have a mammogram while the mobile unit is parked at the Cowra Showground.

One in eight women in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

In Western NSW alone, approximately 174 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually.

For women over the age of 50, a screening mammogram is the best way of finding breast cancer early.

Despite these figures, only around one in two women in NSW are receiving their regular mammogram through BreastScreen NSW.

Women in the Western NSW Local Health District are being urged to have their regular breast screen even if they have no family history of breast cancer, as nine in 10 women diagnosed with the disease have no hereditary links.

BreastScreen NSW Health Promotion Officer, Gillian MacSmith said “The majority of breast cancers are diagnosed in women with no family history, which means it is absolutely vital that all women aged 50-74 receive their regular two-yearly mammogram. It is a free service that only takes 20 minutes and it could save your life.”

Gillian said to encourage conversations about breast screening in the community, it’s important to share the following facts:

Over 2000 women in NSW aged 50-74 may have breast cancer and not know it, because they haven’t had their regular mammogram.

Screening mammograms take just 20 minutes, and should be completed every two years.

Screening mammograms through BreastScreen NSW are free and don’t require a doctor’s referral.

A common barrier to regular screening is the belief that breast cancer is hereditary – in fact, nine out of 10 women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history.

To make an appointment call 13 20 50 today or pop into the Van while it is in Cowra.