Westmead Breast Cancer Institute takes breast screening to Wenty Leagues

Westmead’s Breast Cancer Institute (BCI) is continuing its efforts to offer free breast screening to busy women across western Sydney, setting up its mobile van at Wenty Leagues during May.

The BreastScreen van, staffed by female breast screening specialists, will be stationed at the Wentworthville club until Friday, June 2, 2017, giving eligible women the chance to have a free breast check.

It is recommended that women aged 50 to 74 have regular mammograms every two years.

A mammogram takes just 15 minutes and is vital, given one in eight women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Nine out of 10 women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

Westmead BCI director Associate Professor Nirmala Pathmanathan encouraged women to make time for their health and keep up regular screening.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with almost 16,000 women diagnosed every year,” she said.

“However, only half of all women in the target age group are being regularly screened in western Sydney. Finding breast cancer in its early stages can save lives, so we need to raise awareness about the importance of screening.”

Wenty Leagues marketing manager Gina Skinner said the club was thrilled to host the van.

“Wenty Leagues is a community-based club, so we want to support the women in our community in the early detection of breast cancer by providing this service to our customers.”

Westmead BCI manages the BreastScreen program in western Sydney.

To book a free mammogram at the van or at a BreastScreen clinic, contact BreastScreen on 13 20 50.

Wenty Leagues is located at 50 Smith St, Wentworthville.