BreastScreen Halts NSW and ACT Operations, Mammograms Amid COVID Blockages

Breast cancer support groups have raised concerns that women could die from preventable cancer if they are denied long-term access to BreastScreen’s routine mammogram appointments.

Centers in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have been closed due to coronavirus outbreaks and there is no indication when they will reopen.

Breast Cancer Network Australia has raised concerns about the decision and director of policy and advocacy Vicki Durston said it could have dire consequences.

“We know that the best outcome for diagnosing breast cancer is early detection,” she said.

“Long-term restrictions on interruptions and closures of breast cancer screening, for many, which would now be a preventable and treatable cancer diagnosis, will be replaced by advanced presentations.”

She warned that long-term closures of BreastScreen appointments could result in deaths.

“It’s pretty damn scary,” she said.

“More than 20,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and the best outcome for a breast cancer diagnosis is this early detection and intervention.”

Mammography is not an essential service

The ACT shut down BreastScreen services upon news of the lockdown last week and all centers stopped making appointments for the end of the year.

Sarah Mogford, executive director of cancer and ambulatory support at Canberra Health Services, said the decision was made for safety reasons.

“In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation in ACT and the surrounding region, ACT healthcare facilities have made precautionary changes to keep our most vulnerable patients safe and to further protect staff and visitors, ”she said in a statement to the ABC.

“Breast cancer screening reminder letters continue to be processed… women whose appointments have been canceled will be reserved as a priority once service is restored. ”

Across the border in NSW, all appointments are canceled as of tomorrow.

A spokeswoman for BreastScreen NSW told the ABC the decision was based on security and personnel concerns.

“The decision was made in response to the growing risk posed by the COVID-19 Delta strain and the need to redeploy staff to support the pandemic response in each local health district,” she said.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard supported the decision but said he wanted appointments to resume soon.

“This is to assess the relative risk to patients and staff,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Federal health officials have repeatedly urged people to always go to their medical appointments and undergo treatment, even during times of lockdown

A spokesman for Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt stressed that the closures do not affect all states and that BreastScreen Australia should be called if they have concerns.

“The minister encourages all women to follow up on their appointments when the services reopen,” said the spokesperson.

However, ACT and NSW have not set a timeline for the centers to reopen and Ms Durston said the decision must be overturned as soon as possible.

“We want a balanced approach and we want BreastScreen to be seen as an essential service,” she said.

“We want to see it increase and we want these healthcare workers to be redeployed to testing services as soon as possible,” she said.

What does the research say?

BreastScreen NSW commissioned a model to examine what would happen if they canceled all appointments.

“Modeling has shown that, provided women go for screening after restarting the program, the impact is minimal,” said a BreastScreen NSW spokesperson.

“Women with breast symptoms should see their GP without delay for a referral for diagnostic testing, which is the recommended national route for symptomatic women.”

However, a report released by the Radiation Therapy Advisory Group (RTAG), which represents cancer patient advocates, healthcare providers and oncology professionals, tells a different story.

Between January and June of last year, approximately 145,000 fewer screening mammograms were performed compared to 2018.

BreastScreen appointments were canceled nationwide in March 2020 due to the initial outbreak, but women were welcomed in May, and even during Melbourne’s winter lockdown, centers remained open.

The report also looked at data from overseas which showed that around 8,600 British women who missed a CT scan due to COVID-19 restrictions have undetected breast cancer.

RTAG chairman Peter O’Brien said many Australian health experts were worried when normal services resume, patients will develop more advanced cancers and in some cases that concern has already materialized.

“Unfortunately, we are already seeing the negative impact of the breast shield closure last year in Victoria, with more women presenting with advanced breast cancer,” he said.

“Pursuing breast cancer screening in a COVID environment in a manner that is safe for women and staff is a challenge we must meet. “

Have you or someone you know canceled a BreastScreen appointment? Contact Stéphanie Borys at [email protected]