BreastScreen WA Receives $3.7 Million Funding Boost
The Cook Government has announced a significant funding boost of $3.7 million for BreastScreen WA, a vital early detection and prevention program for women in Western Australia. This funding will support the mobile screening service and the ongoing fit-out of the Bunbury Breast Screen Clinic, ensuring timely and accessible healthcare for all.
BreastScreen WA is a free service available to women aged 40 and over with no breast cancer symptoms. It offers screening mammograms, which can detect breast cancer at an early stage, even before any physical changes are noticeable.
The new clinic in Bunbury, set to be completed by July 2026, will replace the existing one at the South West Health Campus. This expansion aims to improve access to screening services for rural and remote areas, as well as metropolitan regions without nearby fixed clinics.
Since its establishment in 1989, BreastScreen WA has screened over three million women across Western Australia. With breast cancer being the most common cancer among women, accounting for more than 21,000 new cases annually, regular screening is crucial. The program encourages women aged 50 to 74 to undergo regular mammograms, a low-dose X-ray procedure that can detect cancer before it becomes palpable.
The additional funding will enable the mobile screening service to continue operating, screening 5,000 women annually. Minister for Preventive Health, Sabine Winton, emphasized the program's importance, stating that early detection saves lives. Women can book appointments by calling 13 20 50 or through the online booking system.
This funding boost is a significant step towards ensuring that all Western Australian women have access to high-quality, timely screening services, playing a vital role in the early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
