Screening for breast cancer: Joining BreastScreen Aotearoa - English - HE10113

Breast screening and cancer

Breast screening means having a mammogram every 2 years to check for signs of breast cancer, the most common cancer affecting women in New Zealand.

Screening saves lives by finding breast cancers before there are even any symptoms. Most breast cancers are curable if found and treated early before they can grow or spread.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a type of x-ray. It is a digital picture that shows the inside of your breast to check for any signs of breast cancer.

During a mammogram, each breast is pressed firmly between two plates for up to a minute so clear pictures can be taken. You will be asked to undress from the waist up and offered a cape or gown to wear.

Mammograms are done at clinics and mobile units throughout New Zealand. Anyone who is eligible is automatically invited to enrol and participation is free.

Early detection is your best protection.

Freephone 0800 270 200

What is BreastScreen Aotearoa?

BreastScreen Aotearoa is a free national breast screening programme that checks for signs of breast cancer.

The national programme currently offers free mammograms (breast x-rays) every 2 years to eligible women who have no symptoms of breast cancer.

Joining BreastScreen Aotearoa and booking your mammograms

If you are eligible and due for a mammogram with BreastScreen Aotearoa, you should receive an invitation via email, text or letter. You can enrol and book: 

• online using the secure personalised link in your invitation, or
• by freephoning 0800 270 200

If you think you are eligible but have not received an invitation, please let us know by calling the freephone number, or by completing the enrolment form available on TimeToBreastScreen.nz

Am I eligible?

You are eligible to participate in BreastScreen Aotearoa if you:

• are a woman aged 45 to 69, or qualify for the extended age range up to age 74
• have no symptoms of breast cancer
• have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months
• are not pregnant
• are entitled to public health services in New Zealand¹
• have been free of breast cancer for at least 5 years.

If you are not eligible, talk with your doctor or hauora provider about your personal risk of breast cancer. Also look for any signs of breast cancer and talk with your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you notice changes to your breasts.

If you are breastfeeding, please make this known to your screening provider when making your appointment.

1. For more information on who can receive publicly funded personal health and disability services in New Zealand visit Eligibility for publicly funded health services – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Extending the age for breast screening

BreastScreen Aotearoa is extending the age for free breast screening, beginning with women aged 70 and 74.

Each October the age range will be extended by one year until all eligible women aged 70 to 74 are included. This will be fully in place by October 2029.

All of New Zealand

(excluding Nelson and Marlborough)

From October 2025 you are eligible for:

• a free mammogram every 2 years until you turn 75, if you turn 70 on or after 1 October 2025
• one final screen at age 74, if you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2025.

Nelson and Marlborough

From October 2024, if you live in Nelson and Marlborough you are eligible for:

• a free mammogram every 2 years until you turn 75, if you turned 70 on or after 1 October 2024
• one final screen at age 74, if you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2024.

Visit TimeToBreastScreen.nz or freephone 0800 270 200 to find out more about these changes.

It's your choice

You can choose whether to participate in BreastScreen Aotearoa. You can opt out of the programme at any time. You can also rejoin at any time, as long as you remain eligible.

If you decide not to participate in the programme, you or your healthcare provider can still arrange your mammograms, but they may not be free and results will not be recorded with BreastScreen Aotearoa.

To help you decide, more information is provided in this brochure and online at TimeToBreastScreen.nz You can also talk with your doctor, nurse or hauora provider or freephone 0800 270 200

If you need support to arrange or attend appointments, help is available, with options of Māori or Pacific providers available in some areas. Find out about Screening Support Services in Aotearoa New Zealand

What you need to know

Screening saves lives

Mammograms help find cancer as early as possible by showing changes inside the breast before anything can be felt. You are more likely to survive breast cancer, and treatments may be easier, when cancers are found early and are small.

In New Zealand, women found to have breast cancer through screening are less likely to die from it than those who find breast cancer and are not in the screening programme. Screening has reduced deaths from breast cancer by one third². 

The majority of people who develop breast cancer have no family history of it. This is why it's important to be aware of any changes to your breasts and to have regular mammograms regardless of your family history. If you do have a family history, you may have a slightly higher risk.

The likelihood of breast cancer also increases with age.

2. Cohort and Case Control Analyses of Breast Cancer Mortality – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Less treatment

Finding breast cancer early can mean it’s easier to treat, using options that people may cope with better. This is particularly important for older women, who may also have other serious health conditions to manage.

A proven method of finding cancer

For women who participate in screening, mammograms find 8 or 9 out of 10 cancers.

It is still important to look for any changes to your breasts between mammograms and to talk with your healthcare provider about any new changes immediately.

Some cancers may not harm you

Mammograms can find small breast cancers that would not be found if you were not screened. Some of these cancers may never grow big enough to become life-threatening. For a small number of older women who have other serious health conditions, some breast cancers found through screening will not become harmful during the remainder of their lifetime.

Because it is not possible to tell which cancers will become harmful, treatment will be offered for every cancer found. Treatment options can be discussed with your specialist.

Mammograms do not find all cancers

Mammograms can miss some cancers, and cancer can develop between screening appointments. A mammogram may look normal even if cancer is somewhere in a breast. In general, breast cancers in older women are easier to detect due to differences in breast tissue.

Dense breast tissue can make breast cancers harder to find. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is considering the use of artificial intelligence to measure breast density in the future.

It is important that you take the time to learn the normal look and feel of your breasts.

Some signs of breast cancer can include:

• a new lump in the breast or armpit
• changes to the breast shape or size
• changes to the skin of the breast such as dimpling, puckering, or thickening
• changes in the nipple, such as turning inwards, ulcers, or a new itch
• nipple discharge or bleeding
• persistent redness
• pain in the breast that does not go away.

If you notice any of these, don’t wait for your next mammogram, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Radiation

Like all x-rays, mammograms expose you to a small amount of radiation, but this is unlikely to cause harm. 

Pain and worry

Breast screening can be uncomfortable or painful for some women as well as worrying. You may bring a support person or family member if you would like someone with you before and after your mammogram.

Talk with your doctor, nurse or hauora provider about breast screening, and find more information at TimeToBreastScreen.nz