{"product_id":"screening-for-breast-cancer-joining-breastscreen-aotearoa-braille-he10113-braille","title":"Screening for breast cancer: Joining BreastScreen Aotearoa - Braille - HE10113-BRAILLE","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBreast screening and cancer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003eBreast screening means having a mammogram every 2 years to check for signs of breast cancer, the most common cancer affecting women in New Zealand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003eScreening 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"body-copy\"\u003eWhat is a mammogram?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003eDuring 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003eMammograms are done at clinics and mobile units throughout New Zealand. Anyone who is eligible is automatically invited to enrol and participation is free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEarly detection is your best protection.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreephone \u003ca href=\"Tel:0800%20270%20200\" title=\"0800 270 200\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 270 200\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"level-two-heading\"\u003eWhat is BreastScreen Aotearoa?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"body-copy\"\u003eBreastScreen Aotearoa is a free national breast screening programme that checks for signs of breast cancer.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003eThe national programme currently offers free mammograms (breast x-rays) every 2 years to eligible women who have no symptoms of breast cancer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"body-copy\"\u003eJoining BreastScreen Aotearoa and booking your mammograms\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"body-copy\"\u003eIf 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: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"body-copy\"\u003eonline using the \u003cstrong\u003esecure personalised link\u003c\/strong\u003e in your invitation, or\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"body-copy\"\u003eby freephoning \u003ca href=\"Tel:0800%20270%20200\" title=\"0800 270 200\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 270 200\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf 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 \u003ca href=\"Http:\/\/TimeToBreastScreen.nz\" title=\"Time to Breast Screen\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTimeToBreastScreen.nz \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAm I eligible?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou are eligible to participate in BreastScreen Aotearoa if you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare a woman aged 45 to 69, or qualify for the extended age range up to age 74\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave no symptoms of breast cancer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave not had a mammogram in the last 12 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare not pregnant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare entitled to public health services in New Zealand\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tewhatuora.govt.nz\/corporate-information\/our-health-system\/eligibility-for-publicly-funded-health-services\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave been free of breast cancer for at least 5 years.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are breastfeeding, please make this known to your screening provider when making your appointment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e1. For more information on who can receive publicly funded personal health and disability services in New Zealand visit \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tewhatuora.govt.nz\/corporate-information\/our-health-system\/eligibility-for-publicly-funded-health-services\" title=\"Eligibility for publicly funded health services\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eEligibility for publicly funded health services – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExtending the age for breast screening\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBreastScreen Aotearoa is extending the age for free breast screening, beginning with women aged 70 and 74.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAll of New Zealand\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(excluding Nelson and Marlborough)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom October 2025 you are eligible for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea free mammogram every 2 years until you turn 75, if you turn 70 on or after 1 October 2025\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eone final screen at age 74, if you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2025.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNelson and Marlborough\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom October 2024, if you live in Nelson and Marlborough you are eligible for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea free mammogram every 2 years until you turn 75, if you turned 70 on or after 1 October 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eone final screen at age 74, if you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2024.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisit \u003ca href=\"Http:\/\/TimeToBreastScreen.nz\" title=\"Time to Breast Screen\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTimeToBreastScreen.nz\u003c\/a\u003e or freephone \u003ca href=\"Tel:0800%20270%20200\" title=\"0800 270 200\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 270 200\u003c\/a\u003e to find out more about these changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIt's your choice\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo help you decide, more information is provided in this brochure and online at \u003ca href=\"Http:\/\/TimeToBreastScreen.nz\" title=\"Time to Breast Screen\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTimeToBreastScreen.nz\u003c\/a\u003e You can also talk with your doctor, nurse or hauora provider or freephone \u003ca href=\"Tel:0800%20270%20200\" title=\"0800 270 200\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e0800 270 200\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/info.health.nz\/keeping-healthy\/cancer-screening\/screening-support-services-in-aotearoa-new-zealand\"\u003eScreening Support Services in Aotearoa New Zealand\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you need to know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eScreening saves lives\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMammograms 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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 third\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tewhatuora.govt.nz\/publications\/cohort-and-case-control-analyses-of-breast-cancer-mortality-breastscreen-aotearoa-1999-2011\"\u003e\u003csup\u003e2\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe likelihood of breast cancer also increases with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tewhatuora.govt.nz\/publications\/cohort-and-case-control-analyses-of-breast-cancer-mortality-breastscreen-aotearoa-1999-2011\"\u003e2. Cohort and Case Control Analyses of Breast Cancer Mortality – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLess treatment\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinding 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA proven method of finding cancer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor women who participate in screening, mammograms find 8 or 9 out of 10 cancers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSome cancers may not harm you\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMammograms 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMammograms do not find all cancers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMammograms 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDense 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is important that you take the time to learn the normal look and feel of your breasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome signs of breast cancer can include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea new lump in the breast or armpit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003echanges to the breast shape or size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003echanges to the skin of the breast such as dimpling, puckering, or thickening\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003echanges in the nipple, such as turning inwards, ulcers, or a new itch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003enipple discharge or bleeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epersistent redness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epain in the breast that does not go away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you notice any of these, don’t wait for your next mammogram, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRadiation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all x-rays, mammograms expose you to a small amount of radiation, but this is unlikely to cause harm. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePain and worry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBreast 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTalk with your doctor, nurse or hauora provider about breast screening, and find more information at \u003ca href=\"Http:\/\/TimeToBreastScreen.nz\" title=\"Time to Breast Screen\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTimeToBreastScreen.nz\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HealthEd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49388834980068,"sku":"HE10113-BRAILLE","price":0.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/6916\/3582\/files\/HE1205thumbnail_df3b2293-a5ae-4644-a3a2-a80a70fa24ce.jpg?v=1715909226","url":"https:\/\/healthed.govt.nz\/products\/screening-for-breast-cancer-joining-breastscreen-aotearoa-braille-he10113-braille","provider":"HealthEd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}