The most powerful tool in breast cancer outcomes is early detection. Breast cancer found at an early stage — before it has spread beyond the breast — is far more treatable than cancer found later. And while no screening or awareness strategy is perfect, a combination of regular mammographic screening, breast awareness, and prompt reporting of any change to your doctor remains the single most effective approach available to Australian women today.

At Breast & Surgical Oncology at The Poche Centre, we are passionate advocates for breast awareness and appropriate screening. Whether you have a specific concern, are thinking about your screening schedule, or simply want to understand what to look out for, this page explains what you need to know.

Being Breast Aware

Being "breast aware" does not mean following a rigid monthly self-examination checklist. Modern guidance has moved away from prescriptive self-examination routines in favour of a broader concept of breast awareness — simply knowing what is normal for your breasts so that you notice when something changes.

Your breasts change throughout your life in response to hormonal shifts, age, weight, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. What matters is not finding something unfamiliar, but recognising when something is different from your own normal — and acting on it promptly.

Get to know your breasts. Look at them in the mirror and feel them regularly — in the shower, when dressing, at any time that works for you. There is no required technique or schedule. The goal is familiarity, not ritual.

Know what to look for. Changes worth reporting to your doctor include any of the following:

• A new lump, thickening, or area of firmness in the breast or armpit
• A change in the size, shape, or contour of one breast
• Skin changes — dimpling, puckering, redness, or an "orange peel" texture
• A new inversion of the nipple, or a change in the direction the nipple points
• Nipple discharge, particularly if spontaneous, bloodstained, or from one side only
• A persistent rash, scaling, or crusting on the nipple or areola
• Persistent breast pain that is new or localised to one area

Act promptly. If you notice anything new or different, see your GP without delay. Do not wait to see if it resolves. Most changes turn out to be benign — but early assessment is always better than delayed assessment, whatever the cause.

Breast Cancer Screening in Australia

Breast awareness alone is not sufficient. Regular screening mammography detects breast cancers before they cause symptoms — at a stage when treatment is most effective and survival rates are highest. This is why organised population screening exists.

BreastScreen Australia

BreastScreen Australia is the national breast cancer screening program that provides free two-yearly screening mammograms for eligible women. Understanding who qualifies and when to screen is important.

Women aged 50 to 74 are the primary target group for BreastScreen Australia and are actively invited for free two-yearly screening. This age range is where the evidence for mortality reduction from mammographic screening is strongest.

Women aged 40 to 49 and 75 and over are also eligible to attend BreastScreen Australia free of charge, though they are not routinely sent invitations. Women in these age groups who wish to be screened can self-refer. The decision to screen outside the primary target age range is a personal one, best discussed with your GP or specialist.

Screening through BreastScreen Australia is separate from a diagnostic mammogram ordered because of a specific symptom — if you have a breast concern, you should see your GP for a referral to a diagnostic imaging service rather than attending BreastScreen.

To find your nearest BreastScreen Australia service, visit breastscreen.gov.au or call 13 20 50.

How Often Should I Have a Mammogram?

For women at average risk, the standard recommendation is a two-yearly screening mammogram from age 50. Women with a personal or family history that places them at elevated risk may need to begin screening earlier, screen more frequently, or use additional modalities