Breast Cancer Action Trust of Tauranga trustees Jane Lyndon, Tim
Short and Debbie Short say their “Save the Women” programme offers
subsidised mammograms for women aged 40-45 years.
The Trust continues to lobby for better access to screening and
age reduction to 40 years as well as improved access to treatments.
Early detection of breast cancer is important and being promoted by
the Breast Cancer Action Trust of Tauranga with a ‘Save the Women’
free mammogram programme.
“The programme previously only provided subsidised access to
mammograms but they are now fully funded, which is exciting news,”
says trustee Debbie Short.
“The Breast Cancer Action Trust of Tauranga is offering free
mammograms to eligible women aged 40-44 years in Tauranga who missed
out on the 45-69 year old breast screening programme. In fact, many
women of all ages are able to get a free mammogram. If you are without
symptoms but have a family member who has had breast cancer, you are
considered high risk and are entitled to a free mammogram through your
GP. If you do have symptoms, then you are also entitled to a free
mammogram regardless of age through your GP.”
The Save the Women programme from the Breast Cancer Action Trust is
funding free mammograms to women without family history and without
symptoms aged 40-45 years with a community services card because cost
is a barrier to health.
“The difference in breast cancer diagnosis between 40-45 years and
46-49 years is only three per cent and it’s often unstated 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.”
For more information and to see if you are eligible to access the Save
the Women free mammogram programme, contact Debbie Short 07 544 3481
or Jane Lyndon 027 495 5819. www.savethewomen.org.nz
