Are you replaceable?

The lifetime risk of an Australian woman being diagnosed with breast cancer is 1 in 8! If you detect the cancer when the lump in your breast is the size of a pea or smaller, the likelihood that you will die is as low as 3%. However if you allow it to grow to the size of a cherry or larger, your odds of dying from breast cancer could be as high as 50%.

If you haven’t had a mammogram recently, ask yourself: “Are you replaceable?”

If you’re between the ages of 50 and 69 years and haven’t had a mammogram yet, you should know that 75% of women who get breast cancer fall into your age group.

It’s true.

And breast cancer is by far the most common form of cancer among women, with an incidence rate more than twice that of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and about three times that of lung cancer. In fact, in 2005 breast cancer caused 502,000 deaths worldwide.

And the facts get even uglier: This year and every year...

• Another 36 women, every single day, will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia
• More than 60% of women who are from non-English speaking backgrounds and 40% of women from English speaking backgrounds do not have a regular BreastScreen mammogram
• If breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body there is no magic wand to cure the disease

That’s the bad news.

However, the good news is that in this letter you will learn...

How To Reduce Your Risk Of Dying From Breast Cancer

If you catch your breast cancer early, you reduce your risk from 50% to 3% - giving yourself 16 times better odds of survival.

And don’t think it can’t happen to you just because you don’t have a family history. The reality is less than 5% of all breast cancer cases are related to an inherited genetic fault. This means that in 95% of breast cancer cases, the disease occurs by chance rather than because of a genetic fault in the family.

After all, the one thing that Kylie Minogue, Shirley Temple, Linda McCartney or Olivia Newton-John had in common is – they never thought they would end up with breast cancer. Some of them survived it. Some of them died and missed out on seeing their grandchildren grow up. Some of them lost their hair. And some of them went through months of horrifying treatment, losing their breasts to a mastectomy.

So, the smart question is: “What can I do right now to make sure I catch breast cancer early and be one of the survivors?”

The bottom line is x-ray mammography is the best test for picking up cancer at a very early stage. It’s fairly quick, 90% accurate and widely available.

Sign up for a BreatScreen Mammogram Now

Simply complete the online form and we will call you to organise an appointment.

“BUT WON’T A MAMMOGRAM BE PAINFUL?”

That’s a very common concern. And the truth is some women find the compression when having a mammogram uncomfortable, but it is necessary to get good pictures of the breast. The compression only lasts a few seconds on each breast and helps to produce a clear breast x-ray. If compression is not used, the x-ray appears blurred and the radiologist may find it harder to detect any abnormality.

Besides, dental visits and pap smears are also important ways of protecting your health and, in comparison, can sometimes be much more daunting than a simple mammogram.

“SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I VISIT BREASTSCREEN NSW – SYDNEY WEST?”

You will be greeted by a receptionist, who will give you relevant forms to fill in and return. You’ll be shown to a private change room so you can remove your bra and put your shirt back on. You will be taken into the mammography room by a female radiographer who will do the test. The radiographer will carefully position you and quickly take the x-rays. Generally two pictures will be taken of each breast. For women with larger breasts, some extra pictures may be required. Each x-ray only takes a few seconds.

“BUT ISN’T A MAMMOGRAM HARMFUL?”

The amount of radiation from a mammogram is tiny. Overseas studies have calculated the risk from radiation to be equivalent to the harm of smoking one cigarette, 400 miles of air travel or 60 miles of car travel. Very rarely, a mammogram may cause some bruising. Our radiographers only perform mammograms and they receive regular training.

“AND WHO READS AND REPORTS THE X-RAYS? WHAT HAPPENS TO THE RESULTS OF MY MAMMOGRAM?”

Two specially trained doctors (radiologists) will independently examine x-rays. Sometimes a third opinion is required. The results will be mailed to you and, with your consent, to your family doctor.

Got more questions? Then please click on the questions below for the detailed answers...

How often should I have a BreastScreen mammogram?

Why is the BreastScreen program only for women over 40 years?

Can women under 40 get breast cancer as well?

Can I have a mammogram at BreastScreen if I have breast implants?

When is the best time to have a mammogram?

I am pregnant, can I have a mammogram?

What happens if I am called back for further tests?

Do I need a doctor’s referral to have a mammogram at BreastScreen?

What should women with a family history of breast cancer do?

Take control: Get your free BreastScreen mammogram now

The bottom line is if you’re a woman aged 50-69, you are at risk of getting breast cancer. And I’ve done everything possible to convince you that you should take this disease seriously. Now it’s up to you...

You Have Two Choices

One… you’ve got a busy schedule, so just put the whole thing off until next month... and then next month... and then next year. And what’s that going to do? Well, if you’re 1 of the 8 women who is diagnosed with breast cancer, it could mean you allow a cancer in your breast to grow to the size of a cherry or larger... increasing your odds of death to 50% instead of 3%. It could also mean you keep your breasts... instead of losing them to a mastectomy.

Or Two… give yourself the peace of mind of getting your free mammography right away. And relax with the knowledge that you’ve done everything in your power to reduce the risk of breast cancer, and get ready to enjoy watching your grandchildren grow up... be there for your children’s fiftieth birthday parties... and live out your golden years doing all the things you are looking forward to doing: whether it be travelling... going back to school... moving to a new part of the country... or enjoying the theatre and the outdoors.

Please remember – this is a free service and will cost you nothing other than 30 minutes of your time. I urge you, book in your free screening mammogram now and give yourself and your family the most important gift of all – peace of mind.

Warmest regards,

Professor John Boyages

Click for breastscreening information.