Australian Medical Association president, Dr Nick Yim, calls for immediate fix to diagnostic breast cancer delays

The president of Australia’s largest medical association has called for an urgent solution to the four-month delay women are facing for diagnostic mammograms in Far North Queensland.

The I-MED Radiology Network building at 121 Sheridan Street. Picture: Brendan Radke

The president of Australia’s largest medical union has called for an urgent solution to the four-month delay women are facing for diagnostic mammograms in Far North Queensland.

Private radiology provider Queensland X-Ray “temporarily” closed its breast screening service in November 2024, leaving I-MED Radiology on Sheridan Street as the only screening facility serving Cairns to the Cape.

It means women with breast cancer symptoms are being forced to choose between flying to Brisbane or interstate to avoid the delay.

Australian Medical Association Queensland President Dr Nick Yim said the closure of the critical, lifesaving service “must be fixed”.

“Waiting four months for diagnostic imaging is terrible. We know women are anxious and worried, and the wait for treatment is far from ideal,” he said.

Women are facing a four-month delay for diagnostic mammograms. Picture: iStock

Dr Yim said one of the biggest challenges was the shortage of health workers, including radiographers who perform the imaging, on top of administrative staff.

“If you don’t have the people to take the pictures or read the images, you can’t provide the service,” he said.

Dr Yim stressed the need to increase workforce numbers, particularly in regional Queensland.

“Delays in tests can lead to delays in treatment, which increases anxiety for patients and their families,” he said.

“These delays could place further pressure on the healthcare system long term, so we must find a solution.”

AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Kim said the closure of the critical, lifesaving service “must be fixed”. Picture: Russell Shakespeare.

Dr Yim called for a collaborative approach between the public and private sectors to address the workforce shortages.

“The hospital health service, the government, and private providers all need to negotiate a plan moving forward,” he said.

“While conversations are happening in the background, it will take time for a solution to be agreed upon.”

“We need to ensure the solution we find will support the ageing population because as we all get older, we have increased rates of cancer.”

According to CHHHS they historically have not managed diagnostic breast imaging services; these have been outsourced to private providers. Picture: Brendan Radke

Queensland X-Ray provides women’s imaging services in Townsville, Mackay, Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

A spokesman previously said the breast screening service had been suspended in Cairns “until we can recruit at least one permanent doctor in Cairns”.

“We are actively trying to recruit additional women’s imaging radiologists statewide however there are very few radiologists interested … We remain hopeful that the suspension of service in Cairns is temporary.”

Originally published as Australian Medical Association president, Dr Nick Yim, calls for immediate fix to diagnostic breast cancer delays