Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are potentially putting their lives at risk by not having a regular breast screen.
Newly released 2011-13 BreastScreen Victoria figures reveal that only 34 per cent of Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 50 to 69 take part in the program.
“This is considerably lower than the statewide average of 54 per cent, despite the fact that it is an increase of five per cent on the previous year,” said BreastScreen Victoria CEO Vicki Pridmore.
Ms Pridmore is concerned about the figures and urges women of all backgrounds to take advantage of the free service.
“A female radiographer takes the breast screen and it takes just 10 minutes every two years,” she said.
Former Australian tennis champion and BreastScreen Victoria ambassador Evonne Goolagong-Cawley encourages eligible women to make an appointment.