Casey is set to receive one of five new breast screening clinics announced by Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Martin Foley on Monday 13 June.
These clinics are set to be completed by January 2025 and are a part of a $20 million boost to the Victorian 2022/23 budget.
The additional funding is set to support the expansion of BreastScreen Victoria’s Reading and Assessment services, which are currently used by around six per cent of Victorian clients.
Three temporary BreastScreen sites are also being converted into permanent sites, including one in Pakenham.
With 4,575 Victorian women being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, these new clinics are expected to service an extra 36,000 eligible Victorians annually by 2026.
“We’re making it even easier to get screened with eight additional breast screening services across the state,” Premier Andrews said.
BreastScreen Victoria provides services at 46 locations around Victoria, with the new clinics set to give more Victorians access to preventative scans and specialist treatment.
Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards also announced the news of a permanent screening clinic yesterday, noting investment from the State Government. .
“Thanks to earlier detection and better treatments, more Victorians in Cranbourne are surviving breast cancer. We’re making it even easier to get screened with a permanent service in Cranbourne,” she said.
While breast cancer mortality rates have decreased by almost two per cent a year since 1994, 766 women died from the disease in 2020.
Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams warned Victorians not to put off their screening, with additional services making it easier than ever to book in.
“We’re delivering breast screening services to thousands more Victorians every year and I urge all Victorians not to wait, “she said.
The Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-2024 has set targets to reduce the harm caused by all cancers and save 10,000 lives by 2025, something these new screening clinics will help achieve.
BreastScreen Victoria provides free bi-yearly breast screening for eligible Victorians without symptoms. If you are due to be screened, book an appointment at a service by calling 13 20 50 or visiting breastscreen.org.au.
