Queensland to mandate breast density reporting for mammograms

Queensland will finally join other states and make a long-recommended change to the information some women receive during a mammogram … and it could save lives.

Picture: iStock

Queensland will finally make breast density reporting mandatory for mammograms in a bid to improve early diagnosis of cancer and save lives.

BreastScreen Australia recommended that women having mammograms in Queensland’s public health sector be informed of their breast density as measured in their appointments in line with other states and were encouraged to discuss it with their health team.

The updated position statement from BreastScreen Australia, published Friday, was endorsed by the Cancer and Population Screening Committee as national policy and will now be mandatory for all BreastScreen Australia services across all jurisdictions to implement.

Breast density refers to the amount of fatty, glandular and connective tissue found in the breast, and can only be detected on a mammogram.

High breast density makes breast cancer more difficult to detect through routine 2D mammograms but is also a risk factor for developing the deadly disease.

In Australia, 58 people every day are diagnosed with breast cancer, and was the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the country.

The updated position statement, which was published Friday, was endorsed by the Cancer and Population Screening Committee as national policy and will be mandatory for all jurisdictions to implement.

Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales already measure and report the essential information to women who have had a mammogram under the BSA program.

Queensland was in the planning phases of implementation, but Breast Cancer Network Australia director of policy, advocacy, and support services Vicki Durston, said she wanted to see a commitment from Queensland to prioritise and fast-track the recommendation.

“We will advocate to see (Queensland) fast-track this. It is not costly, it does not have a huge impact on the workforce, as far as the radiologists,” Ms Durston said.

“It has been done quite effectively and quickly in other states with limited impact … so we want to see a stronger commitment by the Queensland Government to support women in their quest to reduce their risk.”

Picture: iStock

Breast surgeon Dr Melanie Walker stressed how vital offering information on breast density was for undergoing mammograms.

“As breast surgeons, we understand that breast density is not just a factor in cancer detection – it’s also a critical element in a woman’s overall breast cancer risk,” Dr Walker said.

“The national statement is a vital step forward in helping women access this information, but it must be matched by a clear pathway for comprehensive risk assessment and access to supplemental screening where needed.”

A Queensland Health spokesman said the department supported the policy statement and was working towards the statewide implementation of breast density recording and reporting across the 11 frontline BSQ services.

“We know that early screening can save lives, and since the BSQ program commenced, the rate of breast cancer deaths in Queensland has almost halved,” the spokesman said.

A federal department of health spokesman said implementation would be phased to allow states to implement “at a pace that suits their specific needs and capabilities”.

“This approach recognises that different states and territories have varying levels of readiness, infrastructure, and resource availability. All jurisdictions are working towards implementing the recommendations,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Queensland to mandate breast density reporting for mammograms