LESS than half of Footscray women in the at-risk age range for breast cancer have had a free mammogram.
The Footscray BreastScreen clinic will screen its 10,000th woman this month to coincide with its second birthday.
Yet the program participation rate is just 48per cent for women aged 50-69, which is below the state average of 55per cent.
Vietnamese women have the highest rate of screening in the area at 14per cent, followed by Greek women at 5per cent.
West Footscray’s Kim Knersch recently had her first mammogram at age 46. “It was really good, nothing like what I’d heard at all,” she said. “It was a little bit uncomfortable, but I’d definitely go back in two years and do it again.”
A routine screening is most effective in detecting early breast cancer in women aged 50-69, but the Footscray clinic accepts women in their 40s or over 70.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said women should have a mammogram every two years.
“It takes just 10 minutes, offers peace of mind and could even save your life.”
Bookings: 13 20 50.
