Half Price Mammograms From 40 Years Expands

Half Price Mammograms From 40 Years Expands

Women aged forty to forty-five are eligible and are encouraged to take advantage of a subsidised mammogram programme.

The Breast Cancer Action Trust, spearheaded by Tauranga trustees, Debbie Short, Jane Lyndon and Tim Short, are expanding the "Save the Women" Programme which make mammograms more accessible to women 40 - 45 years (who are not included in the Government's free Breast Screening Programme.)

An average cost nationwide of a private mammogram is $120; however with the "Save the Women" Programme, the cost is just $60 by referral to Medex Radiology in Tauranga through CentralMed Medical Centre, Mount Medical Centre and Chadwick Healthcare. At this stage the Programme is restricted to those with a community services card because cost is one of the barriers to health.

The "Save the Women" Subsidised Mammography Programme enables women 40-45 years old to request a mammogram with no symptoms necessary, as often by the time symptoms are present, the cancer has already advanced.

The difference in Breast Cancer diagnosis between 40-45 years and 45-49 years is only 3 per cent, but the understated concern is that younger women in their forties have more aggressive tumours that can grow very quickly within a year, which is why early detection is just so vital.

The "Save the Woman" programme in Tauranga is a first of its kind in New Zealand and is following on from Debbie and Tim Short petitioning Parliament with 124,000 signatures, that resulted in the Government's Breast Screening Programme being expanded in 2004 to 45-69 years (from the previous 50-64 years).

However, women still need to start having regular mammograms from 40 years which is supported in the Breast Screen Aoteroa brochure.

The Breast Cancer Action Trust needs community help to make this available to as many women as possible. People can contribute to the "Save the Women" Programme by phoning Debbie, on 0800 124 377, by making a donation to Breast Cancer Action Trust at any A.N.Z. Bank, or by putting your spare change in donation boxes around Tauranga.

ENDS

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