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 BreastScreen NSW is a free breast screening service for women aged 50 to 69 years. This government-funded service aims to detect breast cancer in its early stages, when treatment can be most effective. BreastScreen NSW, Sydney South West has a network of local services throughout the central Sydney, inner west and Sydney south west areas. The Service has screening locations at: - Camperdown, Croydon, Sydney City (The Rose Clinic), Bankstown, Bowral, Campbelltown and Liverpool. In addition there are two mobile screening vans that continually tour the area. The BreastScreen Australia Program specifically targets women aged 50 to 69 years. This is because it is in this age range that mammographic screening is most effective in saving women's lives. For this reason, BreastScreen NSW only sends reminder letters to women aged 50 to 69 years at the time of screening. Women aged 40 to 49 and 70 years and over are eligible to attend for screening and are welcome to phone for an appointment. To make a booking for a free screening mammogram with BreastScreen NSW, women should call the national screening number 13 20 50. When the call is made from a landline, the number will automatically connect to the nearest screening service. If the call is made from a mobile phone, the caller will be diverted to the BreastScreen NSW State Coordination Unit, and then redirected to the nearest screening service. Alternatively, women who wish to attend at BreastScreen Sydney South West, may complete the electronic appointment request by clicking the link below. Electronic Appointment Request Form For further information regarding the BreastScreen NSW service, please visit the BreastScreen NSW website by clicking here. What are the differences between a screening mammogram and a diagnostic mammogram? A screening mammogram, as performed by BreastScreen NSW, is a breast x-ray test for women who do not have any breast symptoms (ie. asymptomatic or well women). The BreastScreen NSW Program provides free screening mammograms. Screening mammograms do not require a doctor's referral. On occasions, it is necessary for women to be called back for additional x-rays, usually for technical reasons. Some women need to have additional tests at one of our assessment clinics because their x-rays show changes in their breasts. Such tests may include additional breast x-rays (diagnostic mammograms), and ultrasound and breast examination. Most women (9 out of 10) who are asked to return for further tests do not have breast cancer. A diagnostic mammogram is used as one of the tests for investigating breast changes in women with symptoms (symptomatic women). These symptoms may include a lump, persistent pain, discharge from the nipple, changes in the shape or size of a breast or any other unusual changes. A diagnostic mammogram may incur a cost and requires a doctor's referral to a private or public radiology practice. Diagnostic mammograms are not offered within the BreastScreen NSW program, except as part of further assessment following a screening mammogram that shows an abnormal area. How do I know women are receiving the best possible service when they attend BreastScreen NSW for a screening mammogram? BreastScreen NSW Screening and Assessment Services undertake a rigorous accreditation process every two to four years. The Services must meet high quality standards outlined in the BreastScreen Australia National Accreditation Standards. At BreastScreen NSW the radiographers are all female and they have been specially trained in taking screening mammograms. When women have their screening mammogram, the radiographer will take two views (x-rays) of each breast. This means that both a side view and top view of each breast will be taken. This is to ensure that as much breast tissue as possible will be included in the picture and therefore a thorough investigation undertaken. Women's breast x-rays will then be read by two radiologists (specialist doctors) independently of one another. If the opinion of each radiologist differs then a third read will take place to determine the result. There is no difference in the quality of mammograms taken at a mobile screening unit as compared to mammograms taken at a fixed unit. BreastScreen NSW provides high standards and quality of services at each of their sites whether mobile or fixed location. Performance at all sites is assessed against the same rigorous national standards. |
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