Women in Dandenong are being encouraged to take up BreastScreen Victoria’s free breast screening program thanks to a push from their local member.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, is taking up the challenge to encourage more women in the community to prioritise their health and get a free breast screen.

Regular breast screens are an essential component of wellbeing for women over the age of 50, but the latest BreastScreen Victoria participation statistics reveal that only 45% of Dandenong women aged 50-74 had a mammogram between July 2014 and June 2016. Across the state, the participation rate is 54%.

“I’m calling on local women to prioritise a breast screen every two years, along with other important routine health checks,” said Ms Williams.

“This result tells us that 5,172 women in Dandenong didn’t have a breast screen in the two years to the end of June 2016. I hope we see this number decrease as more women prioritise their health.

“If you’re not yet in the 50-74 age bracket, perhaps you can support someone you know to have a breast screen. Maybe you can even go with them to their appointment – a breast screen takes just 10 minutes and is with a woman.”

Seventy-five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will be over the age of 50, the vast majority of whom will have no family history of the disease.

BreastScreen Victoria targets women aged 50-74 with early detection giving women the best chance of successful treatment and recovery.

Appointments at the BreastScreen Victoria clinic at 96 David Street in Dandenong, can be made online at breastscreen.org.au or by calling 13 20 50.