The Department of Health has marked the last week of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this month by celebrating 30 years since the launch of its BreastScreen Australia Program and announcing an expanded Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing for breast cancer treatments.
In a statement, the Department said over the past 30 years, BreastScreen Australia had provided more than 20 million mammograms and detected over 20,000 cancers.
“Breast cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in Australian women, with one in seven women diagnosed at some stage in their life,” the Department said.
“Since 1991, BreastScreen Australia and its dedicated staff have saved the lives of many women by detecting their breast cancer early,” it said.
“The Program currently operates in over 750 locations, has provided over 20 million mammograms and detected over 20,000 cancers.”
The Department said since the Program’s inception, the five-year survival rate from breast cancer had improved from 75 per cent to 94 per cent.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt announced that the PBS listing of Verzenio® would be expanded for use in combination with fulvestrant.
“Verzenio® works by inhibiting two proteins that drive the growth of tumour cells and when used in combination with fulvestrant can slow the progression of breast cancers in some patients,” Mr Hunt said.
“The expanded PBS listing will benefit around 1,600 Australians and their families each year,” he said.
Further information on BreastScreen Australia, including eligibility for a free mammogram, can be accessed at this PS News link.
