BreastScreen SA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout South Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past and present.

Skip to main content

Women are more likely to get a breast screen if it is recommended by their doctor.

Please ensure you have read our referrals and eligibility information.

Booking a breast screen

You can use our referral letter template or tear-off notepads to recommend breast screening.

Your client can book their own breast screen:

No doctor’s referral is needed for screening mammograms.

BreastScreen SA has 8 fixed clinic locations and 3 mobile screening units, find a clinic near you.

We have brochures, posters and other resources available with information about breast cancer and breast screening.

What happens at a breast screen appointment

Giving women clear information about what happens at a breast screen can help make them feel more comfortable.

Here are some things you can tell women:

  • A breast screen appointment takes just 15 minutes.
  • All radiographers are female.
  • When it's time to screen, a female radiographer will position and compress the breast in the x-ray machine to take a picture.
  • The radiographer will take at least two pictures of each breast. Each picture takes only a few seconds, so it is over quickly.
  • Women can ask to stop the breast screen procedure at any time.
  • Screening is very safe. BreastScreen SA has the latest equipment, which uses the smallest amount of radiation possible while still achieving a high-resolution, high-quality image.

Breast screen results

After the breast screen appointment, the images will be read by at least 2 independent radiologists. Depending on their findings, women will be given one result: either ‘no evidence of breast cancer’ or ‘recall for further tests’.

Results are usually posted to the woman and their nominated doctor within 14 days of the appointment. They will also be uploaded to My Health Record. As this test only looks for breast cancer, any benign changes are not reported on.

Most women receive a normal result and return to routine screening (every 2 years).

Further tests

If a woman needs further tests, she’ll be asked to attend BreastScreen SA’s free Assessment Clinic in Adelaide.

Some anxiety is expected when women are recalled for further tests. You can provide reassurance by informing your patient that being recalled does not mean she has breast cancer, but sometimes more tests are needed to make sure. This happens more often for women having their first breast screen, as there are no previous mammogram images to compare with.

Diagnostic tests carried out at the Assessment Clinic may include:

  • Breast x-rays – more detailed mammography.
  • Breast ultrasound – this test uses sound waves to check breast tissue.
  • Biopsy – a needle is used to take a small sample of cells and/or tissue from the part of the breast that needs to be checked.

If a woman has provided her doctor’s details, we will send them comprehensive information on their patient’s diagnostic test results, including if relevant, biopsy pathology results.

If a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, we usually recommend she returns to her doctor for referral to a breast surgeon.