Page 1377 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
highest standard. It is a wonderful achievement for the program since it became a new service in 2011.
Achieving this level of accreditation in a relatively short time is a testament and credit to the quality of the staff and the service offered at BreastScreen ACT. BreastScreen ACT has one of the highest breast cancer detection rates and the ACT has the longest breast cancer survival rates of any state or territory in Australia, therefore reminding us again that early detection is the best protection for women.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.
MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, can you update the Assembly about the MOU signed with New South Wales last year to enable New South Wales women to access screening in the ACT?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Mr Gentleman for the question. As members would be aware, from July 2011 BreastScreen ACT became a new entity with a focus on servicing women of the ACT only. The Murrumbidgee and southern local area health networks took over the role of screening services for clients of the south-east New South Wales region.
We responded to some of the concerns that were raised, including from elected representatives in the surrounding region and from women in the neighbouring region of New South Wales who worked in the ACT and wanted still to be able to use BreastScreen ACT services.
We were able to take a commonsense approach, mindful of some of the costs involved, and reach agreement with the New South Wales government to ensure that we are able to provide 20 appointments per week available and allocated to New South Wales women, capped at 1,000 per year, with the costing and funding for that being provided by New South Wales. I think this has been a sensible resolution to make sure that for those women who do find it hard to get screened in their local area where they live, they are able to access the services in Canberra.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, why is it important for women to attend for screening?
MS GALLAGHER: I thank Dr Bourke for the question. BreastScreen ACT continues to promote the service and encourage women between the ages of 50 and 69 to undergo a screening mammogram every two years. It is a vital service, considering one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and nine out of 10 women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of breast cancer.
Early detection through screening and advances in treatment has led to a 93 per cent, five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer in the ACT. Regular screening increases the likelihood that breast cancers are detected early. So we encourage women of all ages that, if they notice any change in their breasts—as the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video