Two things about BreastScreen NSW
1. Recent posts on the BreastScreen NSW Facebook page have criticised it for not assessing breast density, unlike BreastScreen WA and private screening clinics. Tumours can hide in dense breasts whi...
Forum Discussion
It is my understanding the majority of radiologists who read 2D screening mammograms for BreastScreen Australia work in private facilities. To maintain their Medicare-billing privileges and public hospital access they have to ‘do time’ in the public system, hence they participate in BreastScreen Australia.
This means if Radiologist A reads your 2D screening mammogram at their private facility, and dense breast tissue is impeding their reading, they will assess breast density and recommend a 3D mammogram and/or ultrasound to obtain better images.
But if Radiologist A reads your 2D screening mammogram at any state or territory BreastScreen facility (except BreastScreen WA) and dense tissue is impeding their reading, they can’t say anything. BreastScreen Australia has bought their silence.
The radiologists are placed in a compromising position because BreastScreen Australia (with the exception of the innovative, cutting-edge BreastScreen WA) requires them to practise at a standard lower than their private facilities.
A detection of breast cancer that is delayed because of low-quality images increases the risk of a woman enduring more aggressive treatment and a worse prognosis.