6 October 2022
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.
More than 5,000 Territory women will receive a free breast screen each year, as part of the BreastScreenNT program, with the Territory Government securing permanent screening facilities in Darwin and Palmerston and two screening blocks each year in Alice Springs from April to May and August to September.
BreastScreenNT provides free breast x-rays for the early detection of breast cancer in women aged 50 to 74 years, with research showing that screening is the most effective way to detect breast cancer for women in this age group.
NT Health's mobile screening truck 'Millie' provides breast screening in remote communities across the Northern Territory each year.
Millie the mobile mammography truck returned at the end of last month from this year's remote screening program.
During the remote program, Millie screened more than 800 women and travelled over 16,000 kilometres.
BreastScreenNT works with the remote primary health care centres to ensure all women are aware and encouraged to have their breast screen when Millie is in their community.
Every year $3 million is invested into the prevention of breast cancer in the Northern Territory.
So far in 2022, 26 women in the NT have been diagnosed with breast cancer through BreastScreenNT. In 2021, 52 women were diagnosed and in 2020, 45 women were diagnosed with breast cancer
Quotes from Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
"In our busy lives it's important we take time to look after ourselves and our health - don't hesitate to make that appointment.
"The Territory Government will always look at ways to improve our health services for Territorians - in both our remote and urban centres.
"It's recommended for women over the age of 40 to book a mammogram once every two years to detect potential breast cancer at an early stage before it can be felt or noticed."
Northern Territory Government
