‘I left it too long’: Women encouraged to get checked for breast cancer

Breast cancer survivor Wendy Watt-Boyle said keeping on top of tests was vital.

“The big thing is that people need to check themselves and get checked and follow up on everything,” Ms Watt-Boyle said.

“The amount of people that say, ‘I left it too long’ or ‘I waited too long’ or ‘I thought it was okay.’”

Ms Watt-Boyle said that although mammograms were not pleasant, they were a necessary precaution.

“You need to put yourself through it ... so that you can move forward and move on,” she said.

BreastScreen Victoria said that one in eight Victorian women were diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Around 75 per cent of diagnoses occur in women over 50, with most having no family history of the disease.

State Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said regular breast screenings could help with early detection, which gave women the best chance of a positive outcome.

“The BreastScreen Victoria program is a free service that takes around 10 minutes and could save lives,” she said.

“I know many women have busy lives, and it can be easy to put something like this off, but it’s important to get in and get it done.”

You can find their nearest BreastScreen Victoria clinic or mobile service by calling 13 20 50 or by visiting breastscreen.org.au/locations/