HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Breast screening (mammography)
Aroturukitanga ū
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A mammogram is a special X-ray of the breasts. A mammogram can be done when you have no symptoms (this is called a screening mammogram) or to investigate lumps or other concerning symptoms (this is called a diagnostic mammogram).
All women in New Zealand who are eligible for publicly funded health services can get a free screening mammogram every two years from the age of 45 to 69. This screening is effective at picking up breast cancer early. If you're outside this age group, you can still have screening, but you'll have to pay for it yourself. Your general practice team can enrol you or you can enrol yourself.
Women with an increased risk of breast cancer may be eligible for screening at a younger age and more frequent screening.
In some circumstances, the radiologist (who interprets your X-ray) may recommend an ultrasound test to further assess the findings from your mammogram.
HealthInfo recommends the following videos
- HealthTalk – Breast screening
This website has video interviews with a range of women who discuss their experiences with breast screening.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Health Information and Services – BreastScreen Aotearoa
Information about the New Zealand breast screening programme, a free programme for women aged between 45 and 69.
- New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation – Having a mammogram
This page explains what a mammogram is, how it works, why it's used for screening and what to expect.
- HealthEd – Having more tests after a mammogram
This is the brochure provided when you've been asked to return to BreastScreen Aotearoa for further tests or an assessment because something on your mammogram needs further checking.
This brochure is also available in Chinese (simplified), Hindi, Japanese and Korean.
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists – Diagnostic mammography and Screening mammography
These factsheets have information about breast X-ray examinations for screening and diagnosis.
On the next page: Self-care after breast cancer
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed September 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIBCA-57360
