Breast screening delays lift cancer risk

Jackie Blue

Auckland and Northland women in their 40s are having to wait up to a year for their first free mammogram, putting those with undetected cancer at greater risk.

The longest wait in other parts of the country is six months, and some women do not have to wait at all.

Health Minister Pete Hodgson revealed the figures in answer to a question from National Party associate health spokeswoman Jackie Blue.

Dr Blue, a breast physician, and Breast Cancer Foundation spokeswoman Belinda Scott, a surgeon, said yesterday that the delays put women with undetected cancer at risk.

"Women in their 40s who get breast cancer get a more aggressive, faster-growing breast cancer," Dr Blue said.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for New Zealand women, claiming 600 lives a year.

In 2004, the Government extended the age range for two-yearly state-funded mammograms to 45-69 (from 50-64), increasing the number of eligible women by 60 per cent.

"Teething problems should have been long sorted out," said Dr Blue, who worked in an Auckland screening clinic before becoming an MP.

Dr Scott urged women to get a private mammogram, costing about $110, if they had to wait more than six months for state-paid screening.

In his written answer, Mr Hodgson said lead screening providers were running evening and Saturday clinics, using mobile screening units and inviting women to travel to clinics in their region without waiting lists.

BreastScreen Aotearoa clinical leader Dr Madeleine Wall said two Auckland providers inherited significant backlogs from the provider they replaced. But most women throughout the country waited less than six months.

Extending the age range had strained services, mainly because of the shortage of radiographers and radiologists, but measures had been implemented to meet the demand.

Asked if the delays were risky, she said the screening programme was for well women. Any who developed a lump or other symptoms should quickly see a GP and could have a state-paid mammogram.

Mhairi Porteous, manager of BreastScreen Counties Manukau, which took over the lead role in its area last September, said it was about to invite women aged 45-49 for mammograms. Some had been waiting for nearly two years.

She expected her service would take six to nine months to clear its backlog, after which women would get an appointment within three weeks of making contact.


SCREENING DELAYS

For a first state-funded breast screening mammogram, women aged 45 and over have to wait:

* Nine to 12 months in Counties Manukau.

* Up to six months elsewhere, but in some centres not at all.