CANCER Council Victoria says there has been an up to 37 per cent reduction in breast cancer reporting since COVID-19 restrictions came into place in Victoria, but Ballarat women are staying committed to their own health, with solid bookings at the city's breast screen clinic.
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New week-by-week data released by the cancer body indicates that there was a reduction of cancer detection by up to 37 per cent in the week of May 10, and barely any climb since.
But Ballarat's breast screen clinic is reporting strong bookings until August.
Chief executive officer of Breast Screen Victoria Terri Smith said there had been many measures put in place in response to the pandemic and wanted to reassure clients that it was safe to have your bi-annual screen.
"We have a range of precautions in place at our screening clinics to guard against the risk of COVID-19, including spaced out appointments to ensure physical distancing in waiting areas, the clinic and to give staff more time to clean in between appointments.
"We're also asking clients health and travel questions when they book and arrive at an appointment.
"It's important to reassure everyone that it is currently safe to have a breast screen, and I encourage anyone who has received an invitation or reminder to attend their appointment.
"We had a temporary pause when the first lockdown happened, but we've been screening across our clinics since May.
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"Since then, in Ballarat, we have seen strong demand for bookings. It is important that anyone who notices new breast symptoms or changes, see their doctor without delay."
Victorian Cancer Registry Director, Professor Sue Evans said this data shows notifications for breast cancer started to decline in early April after isolation precautions were put in place in Victoria in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"This information provides an indication of activity by testing laboratories and although preliminary, these early reports suggest a troubling relationship between COVID-19 and the amount of breast cancer reported," Professor Evans said.
Head of Strategy and Support at Cancer Council Victoria, Danielle Spence said that data highlighted a concern that Victorians were delaying vital medical care due to fears about COVID-19 risks.
"We are hearing of people with breast changes not seeking medical attention, declining or delaying initial appointments or follow-up investigations due to anxiety over COVID-19 infection, changes to accessing health care and possibly other competing priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics released earlier this year from BreastScreen Victoria show that only 58 per cent of women western Victoria aged 50-74 had a mammogram between 2016 and 2018. Across the state, that participation rate is just 54 per cent.
This result tells us that 32,972 women across western Victoria didn't have a breast screen in the two years to the end of June 2018
BreastScreen Victoria statistics also revealed that an estimated 1500 women in Victoria might have breast cancer, but don't know it because they haven't had a breast screen. Approximately 186 of those women live in Western Victoria.
In all, 75 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, the vast majority of who have no family history of the disease. BreastScreen
Victoria targets invites eligible Victorians women aged 50-74 with early detection giving women the best chance of successful treatment and recovery.
BreastScreen Victoria locations are in Ballarat, Hamilton, Horsham, Maryborough, Melton, Portland, Warracknabeal and Warrnambool. You can book online at breastscreen.org.au or call 13 20 50.
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