FEELING GOOD: Heather Camm is encouraging women not to put off having mammogram checks.
FEELING GOOD: Heather Camm is encouraging women not to put off having mammogram checks.
Heather Camm is passionate about the need for women to get mammograms, especially those over 70.
The 72-year-old from Raumati Beach was diagnosed last year with the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).
Heather had been putting off having a mammogram because "I was absolutely angry I had to pay for it."
In New Zealand there is a free national breast screening programme for women aged between 45 and 69.
But when her friend, a year younger than her, was diagnosed with breast cancer, she thought, "Goodness gracious me, maybe I better go for a mammogram".
It isn't life-threatening but it can increase the risk of developing an invasive breast cancer later on.
Heather had an operation and within a week or two was back to normal and feeling very relieved.
Heather, who had been having a free mammogram every two years, has a family history of breast cancer - her mother and brother had the disease - and each had a mastectomy.
Heather's diagnosis has led to her two daughters, who are in their 40s, now being enrolled as high risk meaning they will each have a free mammogram every year.
"That's one good thing of me having it."
Her advice was simple: "Keep the mammograms up and be on top of it."
She noted her mother was in her 80s when diagnosed with breast cancer, and Heather has a friend who had a 17-year-old daughter with the disease.
"So it's anywhere in between."
PINK ALERT: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast Cancer Foundation research and communications manager Adele Gautier said, "Most women think their risk drops at 70 because mammograms are no longer free, but in fact, risk at 70 is higher than at 50.
"The foundation is advocating for free mammograms to be extended to age 74 in line with Australia and the United Kingdom.
"We presented a petition to Parliament back in May, followed by a written submission to the Health Select Committee, and in November we will be making an oral presentation to the Health Select Committee."
Fast facts from New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation:
- More than 3000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year
- More than 600 women die each year
- One quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer each year is aged 70+
- 1 woman a day is diagnosed under the free screening age of 45
