<\/p>\n
\nHealth NZ is hiring more staff, adding mammography and ultrasound machines, and opening new screening sites
\nPhoto: AFP\n<\/p>\n
Tens of thousands more women will soon be eligible for free breast screening, as the government begins a nationwide age extension for the programme.<\/p>\n
From this week, women aged 70 and 74 will be able to access free mammograms – the first step in a four-year rollout confirmed by Health Minister Simeon Brown and Women’s Minister Nicola Grigg on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“Breast cancer remains the most common cancer affecting New Zealand women,” Brown said.<\/p>\n
“This is an important step forward in catching cancer earlier, saving lives, and ensuring women across New Zealand have access to timely, quality, life-saving care.”<\/p>\n
About 30,600 extra women are expected to be screened in the first year. Until now, free screening was available to women aged 45 to 69 every two years.<\/p>\n
The eligibility age will continue to expand each October over the next three years to also include women aged 71, 72 and 73.<\/p>\n
When fully rolled out, about 130,000 more women will be eligible for free screening every two years – an average of two to three extra mammograms each.<\/p>\n
Brown said the step-by-step approach would ensure health services could keep up with demand while still providing good care.<\/p>\n
Health NZ was hiring more staff, adding mammography and ultrasound machines, and opening new screening sites, including four mobile units, Brown said.<\/p>\n
Grigg said early detection through screening remained “the most powerful tool” in improving survival rates.<\/p>\n
“Each year, around 3400 New Zealand women are diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nWomen’s Minister Nicola Grigg
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Nate McKinnon\n<\/p>\n
“Once the full age extension is in place, it’s expected to detect breast cancer earlier in about 60 more women annually – giving them a far better chance of successful treatment.”<\/p>\n
The move was also expected to improve outcomes for M\u0101ori and Pacific women, who are less likely to take part in screening but face higher breast cancer rates.<\/p>\n