Australia’s breast screening program is set for its biggest overhaul in decades, with plans for more personalised screening, greater use of artificial intelligence and a stronger focus on women at higher risk of breast cancer.
The Federal Government has unveiled a new 10-year roadmap for BreastScreen Australia, designed to modernise the national program as evidence and technology continue to evolve.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: BreastScreen Australia unveils major personalised screening overhaul
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More than 21,000 Australians will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and around 3300 will die from the disease.
Since BreastScreen Australia began in 1991, the program has detected more than 140,000 breast cancers early, contributing to a significant reduction in breast cancer deaths.
Assistant Minister for Health Rebecca White said the review found the program was already working well, but there was room for improvement.
“Just because something’s working really well doesn’t mean that you don’t look at how you improve it,” White said.
BreastScreen Australia is undergoing a major overhaul. Credit: 7NEWS
The strategy outlines a move towards more personalised screening based on a woman’s individual risk.
That includes developing a nationally consistent policy for annual mammograms for women at higher risk of breast cancer, exploring better screening pathways for women aged 45 to 49 and expanding breast density reporting across the country.
Cancer Australia Medical Director Professor Vivienne Milch said breast density was an important part of improving early detection.
“For those women who have a higher breast density, they’re encouraged to see their GP and talk about whether any further investigation is required,” Milch said.
The framework also paves the way for greater use of artificial intelligence in breast screening, with AI expected to work alongside radiologists as a second reader to improve efficiency, detect more cancers and help ease workforce shortages.
For Sydney mother-of-two Louisa Samasuo, the reforms are welcome but overdue.
Despite a strong family history of breast cancer, she said she repeatedly asked to begin mammograms earlier but was told they were not recommended for her age.
Louisa Samasuo. Credit: 7NEWS
At 34, she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer after finding a lump during a self examination. She believes earlier screening could have dramatically changed her outcome.
“I could have been picked up at what you call DCIS or stage zero. And I wouldn’t have progressed,” Samasuo said.
She has now been cancer free for two years but continues treatment, including medically induced menopause, hormone blockers and ongoing monitoring. One of her biggest frustrations is that mammograms are still not routinely funded for women under 40.
“Mammograms are still not funded for under 40s. It would have made a world of difference to get it earlier,” she said.
Breast Cancer Network Australia welcomed the strategic framework but questioned whether the government’s $1.3 million commitment would be enough to deliver the reforms.
7NEWS Health Editor Jennifer Bechwati. Credit: 7NEWS
The organisation said significant investment would still be needed to expand screening capacity, grow the workforce and introduce new technology across the country.
White acknowledged more work was needed
“We know that in order to reach women who aren’t currently engaged with the program, there is more work that we need to do,” White said.
The reforms are expected to be rolled out progressively over the next decade.
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