BreastScreen NSW recently surveyed 1000 women aged 50-74 and found half missed their regular appointment with most citing a "lack of time" as the reason - despite 95 per cent agreeing the free screening could save their life.
Cancer Institute of NSW Deputy CEO Professor Sanchia Aranda said she accepted most women over 50 lead increasingly busy lives with work, looking after family and elderly parents but urged them not to risk their own health.
"Twelve women get diagnosed every day in NSW and 17 a week die of breast cancer and many of these deaths don't need to happen because screening can pick up a cancer as small as a grain of rice - before its even able to be felt," Prof Aranda said.
"When the cancer is that small the cure rate is around 97 per cent so early detection is just so important."
Other excuses women offered for missing their mammograms were they didn't feel any need because they felt no pain or symptoms (16 per cent); they weren't concerned about cancer 10 per cent or felt the test was uncomfortable (9 per cent).
Prof Aranda said some women may have become less concerned about their risk because of the intense focus on genetic or family history as highlighted by Angelina Jolie who had a double mastectomy after she was found to have the BRAC2 gene.
"Genetic predisposition accounts for only a small proportion of women because 9 out of 10 women with breast cancer don't have any family history,"' she said.
"The risk for getting cancer are being a woman, getting older, being overweight and having a reasonably high intake of alcohol which is anything more than one glass a day."
She said screening rates spike when high profile women like Gina Riley, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Julie McCrossin and Kylie Minogue share their personal experiences.
Earlier this year Riley revealed she was being treated for breast cancer after it was discovered during an annual check-up.
"For me there was no lump that could be felt by either me or my doctor. It was only that I went to my regular mammogram and ultrasound appointment that it was found," she said in a statement last March.
"The cancer has been found early and is treatable and for that I feel lucky and grateful. I am being looked after by an amazing medical team. I encourage woman to have regular breast checks, as the earlier it is found the better the outcome.''
Menai grandmother Greta Ellerman, 63, who works as a receptionist, leads a very busy life but has never missed a mammogram since she became eligible for free screening 13 years ago.
Two years ago her routine mammogram revealed a 2cm cluster of malignant cells which couldn't be seen or felt.
Mrs Ellerman was treated with surgery followed by five weeks of radiation and is today healthy again and able to enjoy her two new grandchildren.
"It was totally undetectable and I'm so glad it was picked up early because had I waited another 12 months who knows how far it could have spread," she said adding women needed to take responsibility for their own health.
"The least you can do for yourself it to be diligent about checkups," she said.
SOURCE: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news
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