Remember, it’s never too late for a breast screen
TOOWOOMBA woman Janine Hills is urging all eligible women to access a free breast screen after a BreastScreen Queensland mammogram saved her life.
Ms Hills said her younger sister, Noela, died from advanced metastatic breast cancer in 1987 at just 32 years of age.
“Before she passed, she asked me to pledge to do regular breast screening,” Ms Hills said.
“I started to get regular mammograms and in the 1990s a lump was found, which — thankfully — was diagnosed as a benign adenoma,” she said.
“I continued to get regular mammograms at Toowoomba BreastScreen and the mobile BreastScreen van in Warwick, but by the time I was almost 65 years old, I was contemplating whether I really needed to go.
“I decided to go to my next appointment anyway and was glad I did — my mammogram showed an abnormality, and further testing confirmed I had a DCIS, a form of non-invasive breast cancer.”
Ms Hills had surgery, completed radiation treatment in early 2016 and continues to be a strong advocate of regular screening.
BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service health promotion officer Alexandra Robbins–Hill said it was never too late for older women to book a mammogram.
“We actively target women from 50 to 74 years old to have two–yearly screens, as most diagnosed cases fall between these age groups, but we also urge women between 40 and 49 and over 75 to come in for a free mammogram,” Ms Robbins–Hill said.
“All women in the target age group, regardless of their medical history, should have breast screens every two years.
“But it is equally important for older women to keep on top of their checks as cancer can develop quite quickly — one breast screen is not enough.”
The BreastScreen Queensland Toowoomba Service is located at 661 Ruthven Street, which is the old Spotlight building, and there is plenty of free parking off Warner Street.
“Our BreastScreen mobile service will be located at Nanango Hospital from October 10 to November 23,” Ms Hills said.
BreastScreen appointments only take around half an hour and can save your life.
To schedule an appointment book online at www.breastscreen.qld.gov.au or phone 13 20 50.