Breast cancer is not just for women aged 50 to 74

Mater Private Hospital Springfield breast and endocrine surgeon Susan Bell has stressed the need for women to screen for breast cancer often and early, conduct regular self-examinations, and to know the lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. 

Dr Bell said although breast cancer awareness in Australia was relatively strong, there was still work to be done when it came to understanding the screening and preventative measures available. 

“I think we need to make sure the message of regular breast self-examination being crucial to early detection comes through,” she said. 

Beyond self-checks, Dr Bell said, there was a lack of knowledge about the early risk assessment and screening options available to Australian women.