HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury

Breast screening (mammography)

Aroturukitanga ū

 

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 these age groups, 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.

The South Canterbury Mammography Services Trust currently funds mammograms for women aged 70 to 74. This isn't funded by the National Breast Screening Programme.

The Trust also offers welfare grants of up to $1,000 for breast cancer patients. Any medical practitioner or other allied health professional can make an application. This can include women whose diagnosis was several years ago but need help. Grants may be available for products and services such as wigs, prosthesis and physiotherapy. Grants may also be available for other needs such as childcare, household costs, critical bills and transport.

For more information, including application forms, please see the South Canterbury Mammography Services Trust website or contact the Trust by email.

  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.

Sources

Page reference: 1170927

Review key: HIBCA-57360