Mammograms and breast screening: Why some women miss checks
A mammogram is a specialised X-ray of the breasts. Breast screening aims to detect cancer at an early stage—before symptoms are noticed—when treatment is most effective. Despite the proven benefits, many women do not participate in regular screening.
Common reasons include:
Screening age guidelines
Prioritising others
Misunderstandings about risk
Fear or denial
Discomfort
Concerns about radiation
Overdiagnosis and overtreatment
Screening age guidelines
In Australia, women aged 40 years and older are eligible for free breast screening, but invitations to attend are only sent from age 50 to 74. Screening invitations stop after age 74, yet breast cancer can still occur before 50 and beyond 74.
Prioritising others
Many women place the needs of family or work ahead of their own health, leading to missed appointments.
Misunderstandings about risk
Some women believe they are not at risk because their breasts are small, or because they do not have a family history of breast cancer. In reality, most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.
Fear or denial
Anxiety about finding a lump or receiving a diagnosis can prevent women from attending screening.
Discomfort
Mammograms may be uncomfortable or mildly painful for some women, discouraging regular attendance.
Concerns about radiation
While radiation exposure is often a worry, the dose from a mammogram is only a fraction of the average background radiation Australians receive each year (about 2 mSv).
Breast implants
Women may think they cannot have a mammogram due to breast implants. They actually can have a mammogram, the radiographer performing the scan just need to be advised beforehand to allow for correct positioning.
Overdiagnosis and overtreatment
Reports have suggested screening may detect very slow-growing cancers or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) that might never cause harm. However, skipping screening increases the risk of detecting breast cancer at a later stage, therefore treatment may be more complex and survival may be reduced.
Breast checks and imaging can be arranged through your GP or mammograms can be obtained free of charge through BreastScreen. Early detection remains the most effective way to improve survival outcomes.
For women wanting to better understand their personal risk, tools such as iPrevent can help estimate breast cancer risk and outline strategies to reduce it. It is also important to become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, and to consult your doctor promptly if you notice any changes.
