Breast screening participation rates by Aboriginal women
Why this indicator is important
In NSW, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Aboriginal women* and the second most common cause of death.[1]
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Analysis undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed that women aged 50–69 who were diagnosed with a breast cancer through BreastScreen Australia between 2002 and 2012 had a 42% lower risk of dying from breast cancer by 2015 than women with breast cancers who had never been screened. [2]
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There were 7,007 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in NSW in 2023, accounting for 28.2% of all cancer cases in women*.[4] This percentage was expected to be 27% in 2025.[4] Breast cancer was expected to account for 12.4% of all cancers diagnosed in NSW in 2025.[4]
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Currently women are invited to participate in the BreastScreen program from the age of 50 but can access the screening program from the age of 40.
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The Institute recognises there is opportunity to further support and encourage participation from Aboriginal women in breast screening programs, especially younger women (aged 40+), to reduce the incidence of diagnosis at an advanced stage.
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The PUTUWA project encourages and actively invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to commence biennial screening from the age of 40.[1]
About this indicator
This indicator shows biennial breast screening participation rate for Aboriginal women across NSW:†‡
- Between 2023-2024, the biennial breast screening participation rate for NSW Aboriginal women aged 50 to 74 was 45.3%
- Between 2023-2024, the biennial breast screening participation rate for Aboriginal women aged 40-49 was 18.5%.
NSW Cancer Plan activities
BreastScreen NSW implements target strategies to increase screening participation among Aboriginal women including tailored health promotion initiatives, stigma reduction programs, strategic partnerships and targeted funding. The PUTUWA project encourages and actively invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to commence biennial screening from the age of 40.[1] The ‘Stay Healthy For You and Your Mob’ campaign encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 40–74 in NSW to book their breast screen when due. The campaign runs across television, radio, Aboriginal medical services and print.
*While data presented in this section specifically refers to cisgender women (i.e. women whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex), not everyone with a cervix and/or breasts is a woman, and cervical and breast cancer screening is important for everyone with a cervix and/or breasts including transgender and non-binary people.
†Participation rate has recently changed due to re-baseline of the population to Census 21.
‡In response to the impact of COVID–19, BreastScreen NSW (BSNSW) suspended screening on 27 March 2020. Screening resumed in two Screening and Assessment Services (SAS) on 13 May 2020, and in all SAS on 18 May 2020. BreastScreen NSW services were also progressively suspended services from June 2021, with all Services closed from 19 August 2021. Several services recommenced screening on 13 September 2021, and all services were operational by 22 November 2021.
Notes
Data accurate as of October 2025.
References
- Cancer Institute NSW. Reporting for Better Outcomes. Annual statewide report, 2023. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2023.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer Screening [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024 [cited 12 February 2025]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/cancer-screening-and-treatment
- Cancer Institute NSW. NSW Cancer Plan 2022–2027. Sydney: Cancer Institute NSW, 2022.
- Cancer Institute NSW. Cancer Statistics NSW. www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/cancer-types-data-nsw [cited: 23/10/2025]
- NSW Cancer Plan:
- Focus Community
