Breast screening: What you need to know

From regular self-exams to mammograms, breast screening is essential for anyone with breasts.

But how do you look after your boobs and what type of screening is best for you?

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women, with around 20,000 diagnoses in 2025 alone.¹

Breast cancer 5-year survival rates have improved over the years and were at 93% in 2021. This is partly due to expanded screening programs leading to earlier detection of the disease and quicker treatment.

The earlier the disease is detected, the more options available, says Bupa GP Janice Tan.

“Breast cancer survival is strongly linked to the stage at which it's detected,” she says. “Stage 1, meaning it’s localised and small, has a 5-year survival rate of above 95%. Stage 4, where the cancer is metastatic and has spread to other organs, the 5-year survival drops to around 25–30%.”

“A small tumour caught early may require a lumpectomy; the same cancer found later might require mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation.”

For anyone with breasts, screenings and checks should be a regular part of your overall health maintenance.

The sooner we can become familiar with how our breast tissues normally look and feel, the better equipped we are to notice anything unusual. The Australian College of Nursing recommends doing monthly self-exams, ideally a few days after your period has stopped. This is because changes in hormones just before or during menstruation can cause changes in the look and feel of your breasts that are nothing to worry about.

It’s a good idea to do your self-exam in a well-lit room in front of a mirror so you can see how your breasts usually look. Doing part of the examination in the shower can also be helpful as you feel for any lumps or thickening in the tissue.

If you notice anything of concern during a self-exam, including changes in the look and feel of the breast or nipple, discharge or bleeding from the nipple or any pain or lump in the breast tissue, you should see your doctor straight away.

They may ask to conduct a breast exam² during your appointment, so consider this when making your booking if you prefer to see a particular doctor. You can also request a nurse be present during the examination.

During the breast exam, you will need to undress from the waist up. Your doctor may observe how your breasts look when you are seated, standing and lying on your back. You may also be asked to raise your hands above your head or put them on your hips.

When you are lying down, your doctor will use their hands and fingers, using some pressure, to check for abnormalities. If there are any areas of concern, you may be referred for a diagnostic mammogram.

A mammogram³ is an x-ray of the breast that can reveal microscopic abnormalities in the breast tissue that can’t be detected by a clinical breast exam.

Australian women aged 40 years and over are eligible for a free screening mammogram every 2 years under the BreastScreen Australia program. Women aged 50-74 are actively invited to screen.

“Mammography screening has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality by approximately 20–40% in women who participate regularly,” says Janice.

During the procedure, a female radiographer will place each of your breasts between two x-ray plates. The plates will press your breast firmly for about 10 seconds during the x-ray. This can be uncomfortable but should not be painful. If you experience pain, tell your radiographer immediately.

If you have breast symptoms, your GP will refer you for a diagnostic mammogram which will take place in a specialised clinic or hospital.

Diagnostic mammograms are not part of the BreastScreen Australia program.