Whittlesea and Hume residents will have improved access to breast screening services as part of a new state government initiative.
The government said five new permanent breast screening services would open in Whittlesea, Casey, Greater Geelong-Surf Coast Shire, Melton and Moreland by January 2025.
A temporary site in Craigieburn will also be converted into a permanent site with greater capacity.
The new services are part of the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-2024, which has the target of reducing the harm caused by all cancers and saving 10,000 lives by 2025.
BreastScreen Victoria chief executive Luke Neill said the announcement would help with early detection.
“Making Craigieburn BreastScreen a permanent site and opening a new one in Whittlesea expands the number of appointments we can offer the local community, ensuring clients can access a breast screen sooner, at a time that suits them,” Mr Neill said.
Premier Daniel Andrews said more Victorians were surviving breast cancer due to better treatments and earlier detection.
“We’re making it even easier to get screened with eight additional breast screening services across the state,“ he said.
BreastScreen Victoria provides free two-yearly breast screening for eligible Victorians without symptoms. If you are due to be screened, book an appointment at a service by calling 13 20 50 or visiting www.breastscreen.org.au.
