A breast screen (also known as a screening mammogram) is an x-ray of your breasts to check for breast cancer. It is currently the most effective population-based screening test for breast cancer for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer.
A breast screen can find cancers that are too small to feel. For women aged over 40, especially 50 to 74, a regular breast screen is the best way to find cancer early. Early detection of breast cancer improves treatment options and health outcomes.
BreastScreen SA offers free breast screens to eligible South Australian women aged over 40. Most women will have a breast screen every 2 years.
A breast screen takes just 15 minutes and is performed by a specially trained radiographer, who will take a minimum of 2 images per breast. You can learn more about what happens at your breast screen here.
Screening with BreastScreen SA:
- is free
- takes just 15 minutes
- all radiographers are female
- requires no doctor’s referral
- is available in locations all around South Australia
- uses high quality imaging equipment with minimal radiation
For South Australian women, screening every 2 years has been found to reduce a woman's chance of dying from breast cancer by up to 41%. There are other benefits of breast screening, as well as limitations you need to be aware of.
A breast screen is not an appropriate test for the investigation of new or changing symptoms as different imaging tests are needed. These tests include diagnostic (not screening) mammography, ultrasound and/or a biopsy and clinical exam to fully investigate the symptom. These tests are not provided at the time of screening with BreastScreen SA and should be organised by your doctor or GP.
A breast screen (screening mammogram) is not the same as a diagnostic mammogram, which requires a doctor’s referral. Women with a new or changing breast symptom, or a doctor’s referral for different imaging tests, are not able to be screened at BreastScreen SA.