Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand women.
Did You Know?
- Many people put themselves in danger by not being more aware of their body and the way it changes
- The earlier you spot any potentially worrying changes in your body, the smaller the likelihood of getting into trouble with your health.
- The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Breast cancer is uncommon in women under 50.
- Some women are at greater risk of breast cancer because there is a history of close family members having the disease.
- Women who breastfeed can have a lower risk of breast cancer.
What Can I Do?
- Women should regularly check their breasts for any lumps.
- Get to know your body so you can tell when anything is different.
- If you notice anything different - especially a lump where there wasn't one before - report it to your health professional immediately.
- For older women, breast screening using mammography (breast x-rays) followed by appropriate treatment is the best way of reducing the chance of dying from breast cancer.
- Taking part in screening programmes will help you to act on potentially troublesome signs early on.
Breast Screening
- The aim of breast screening is to find very small cancers before a lump can be found on the breast. Early treatment has the best chance of success.
- BreastScreen Aotearoa is a national breast screening programme free for women aged 45 to 69 years
- The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Breast cancer is uncommon in women under 50.
