The National Program

At the Australian Health Ministers' Conference in 1990, health ministers from all states and territories joined the federal minister in endorsing the establishment of a national screening program for the early detection of breast cancer.
 
The program - now known as BreastScreen Australia - sought to reduce deaths from breast cancer by using an organised, systematic and evidence-based screening model. BreastScreen Australia invites women aged 50-69 years who do not have any breast cancer signs or symptoms to have a free screening mammogram every two years and is now recognised as one of the most comprehensive population-based screening models in the world.

BreastScreen Victoria

Jointly funded by the Victorian State Government and the Commonwealth Government, BreastScreen Victoria is an accredited part of BreastScreen Australia.
 

BreastScreen Victoria began in 1992 with the establishment of a coordination unit in Carlton to oversee a pilot project which conducted 9,071 screening mammograms. The Program now encompasses a statewide network of eight screening and assessment centres, 35 fixed screening centres and 28 mobile screening locations, conducting more than 189,000 screening mammograms annually.
 

BreastScreen Victoria is made up of two components: the BreastScreen Victoria Coordination Unit and the Screening and Assessment Services. The BreastScreen Victoria Coordination Unit is an independently incorporated association which administers funding for the Screening and Assessments Services, manages the centralised appointment registry, coordinates the Mobile Screening Service, manages client screening and assessment data, develops and reviews Program policy, monitors service provision, coordinates special projects and supports state-wide recruitment.
 

Screening and Assessment Services provide all clinical services from the initial screening mammogram to any further procedures required to the point of diagnosis. BreastScreen Victoria is proud to have developed strong relationships with both the public and private health service providers who manage the daily operation of the Screening and Assessment Services.
 

Although a doctor's referral is not required for women to attend BreastScreen Victoria, the Program works closely with general practitioners. General practitioners are instrumental in encouraging initial participation and return-to-screening attendance and in the event of a breast cancer diagnosis, women are referred back to their general practitioner for care and management.
 

Caring about Women

The many people who support and contribute to the BreastScreen Victoria Program share a commitment to the ongoing provision of quality screening and assessment services that the women of Victoria have come to expect. BreastScreen Victoria's clinical staff are highly skilled and experienced in the detection and assessment of breast cancer.
 

Our model of care aims to ensure that all women have equal access and experience a respectful and affirming service. Whilst current evidence suggests that the benefit of routine screening mammography is greatest in the 50-69 years age group, women in their 40s and over 70 are also eligible for free screening mammograms with BreastScreen Victoria.
 

If you are under 40 years of age and not eligible for BreastScreen Victoria you may find the information available from the various organisations listed on the other sites page of this website useful.
 

For more information about BreastScreen Victoria's vision for the future, please look at our current Strategic Plan.
    

BreastScreen Victoria Coordination Unit
Level 1, 31 Pelham Street
Carlton South
Victoria 3053
Australia