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- About BreastScreen Aotearoa
- Breast screening after cancer
- How to join BreastScreen Aotearoa
- Where to have a mammogram
- What are the benefits of enrolling with BreastScreen Aotearoa?
- How can you tell if BreastScreen Aotearoa is working well?
- BreastScreen Aotearoa resources
About BreastScreen Aotearoa
BreastScreen Aotearoa is a free national breast screening programme for eligible women aged 45 to 69. You can have a free screening mammogram every two years through BreastScreen Aotearoa if you meet the following requirements:
- you are aged 45 to 69 years of age
- you have no symptoms of breast cancer
- you have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months
- you are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- you are eligible for public health services in New Zealand. (If you are not sure if you are eligible to receive free public health services in New Zealand, visit www.moh.govt.nz/eligibility).
Click here to learn more about BreastScreen Aotearoa »
Breast Screening after Cancer
Standard recommendations following a breast cancer diagnosis include annual mammography, clinical examination and treatment review through your GP or hospital clinic. DHBs are funded to provide this diagnostic mammography which is not part of BreastScreen Aotearoa.
If you wish, you may re-enrol for two yearly screening with BreastScreen Aotearoa five years after your breast cancer diagnosis , if you are still aged 45 to 69 years.
You may also be advised by your doctor to continue having a mammogram on the alternate years at the hospital. Please consult with your healthcare professional for more information on breast screening after cancer.
Click here to learn more about Breast Screening »
How to Join BreastScreen Aotearoa
If you are between 45 and 69 years and have been screened with BreastScreen Aotearoa before, you will get a letter inviting you for another mammogram with the programme. You can also make an appointment by ringing 0800 270 200. You should also ring this number if you have changed your address since your last mammogram.
All other women aged 45 to 69 who do not have breast symptoms can register for the programme by ringing 0800 270 200 or, on the map below, click on the part of the country where you live to register for BreastScreen Aotearoa.
Where to have a Mammogram
BreastScreen Aotearoa centres are located throughout New Zealand. Each BreastScreen Aotearoa service is responsible for ensuring that eligible women in its region are given the chance to enrol in the programme. It must provide services of a high standard and refer women who are found to have cancer to treatment services.
There are also a number of Maori and Pacific health promotion providers and all our services are wheelchair accessible. Click here to find the BreastScreen Aotearoa Centre closest to you.
Mobile screening units also travel around the country. View the mobile screening unit schedule on-line, or phone BreastScreen Aotearoa on 0800 270 200 for details.Women who live in rural and provincial areas may have to travel for assessment and treatment to ensure they have access to high quality services. Travel and accommodation will be paid to a set level for women who are eligible for a Community Services Card. A support person is also included. Women who are not eligible for a card may have to pay for travel and accommodation. In some areas of New Zealand assistance may be available. Ring BreastScreen Aotearoa on 0800-270-200 for details.
What are the Benefits of Enrolling with BreastScreen Aotearoa?
- You can receive free mammograms and follow-up assessment is free if you have an abnormal mammogram.
- All your screening mammograms will be kept together and can be used for comparing with future mammograms.
- You will receive two-yearly invitations to have a mammogram.
- BreastScreen Aotearoa has rigorous quality standards.
- BreastScreen Aotearoa providers are regularly externally monitored and audited.
How can you tell if BreastScreen Aotearoa is working well?
BreastScreen Aotearoa has several ways of checking that the programme is working well. These include:
- National Policy and Quality Standards set by BreastScreen Aotearoa. These are the standards BreastScreen Aotearoa services are required to comply with. A copy of the standards is available at www.nsu.govt.nz
- Independent Monitoring Group reports to the National Screening Unit every six months on how well each BreastScreen Aotearoa service is meeting the quality standards. The monitoring reports include recommendations on improvements that can be made. Copies of these reports can be seen on the Health Professional section of the BreastScreen Aotearoa website at www.nsu.govt.nz
- Regular audits of BreastScreen Aotearoa services to see how well they are meeting the quality standards.
BreastScreen Aotearoa Resources
BreastScreen Aotearoa has a number of resources available that explain the benefits, limitations and risks of breast screening at different ages. These resources are valuable for you and your family members and will ensure you are fully informed on the programme. These resources are available to download in PDF format from www.breastscreen.govt.nz. You can also order hard copies free of charge from the website or on-line at www.healthed.govt.nz
