Women are being urged to be vigilant and check themselves due to breast screenings being halted to reduce people coming into close contact during the coronavirus pandemic.
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A Western NSW Local Health District spokeswoman said BreastScreen Australia and NSW Health are suspending routine breast screening through BreastScreen NSW.
However, she said women who need follow-up care can still access the service.
She said women who have recently screened with BreastScreen NSW will continue to be notified of screening results and those needing to return for additional tests will be accommodated.
"The service continues to urge women to be breast aware and contact their local GP or health worker immediately should they notice any breast change that is unusual for them," the spokeswoman said.
She said all women who have had their appointments put on hold have been notified directly and will be contacted to reschedule their appointment as soon as bookings reopen.
McGrath Foundation breast care nurse Sue Kuter said she is still supporting women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and she is organising a lymphedema course.
"There's still people being seen by the surgeons," Mrs Kuter said.
"If they have discovered a lump they can go to their GP and have it addressed."
Once people are referred to medical services Mrs Kuter also becomes involved.
Although she is not meeting with people face-to-face, she said she has been talking to clients on the phone and has collected some women's prescriptions.
Mrs Kuter said she was also looking into how she can run support groups digitally, but she was still working out an online platform and it also depended on participants having access to technology.
The Cancer Council also has an information support line 13 11 20 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday to help anyone who is concerned or worried about what the suspended screening could mean for them or if they have been diagnosed with cancer.
The Cancer Council also urges people to book an appointment with their GP immediately if they notice a change in their breast.
For more information about signs and symptoms visit the BreastScreen NSW website breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.
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Tanya Marschke
I am based at Orange and cover a wide range of subjects as well as the weekly business column. I've worked consistently in the the media industry since 2006 including the past seven years at the Central Western Daily. Before moving to Orange, I worked as a journalist at weekly newspapers the Beaudesert Times and the Gold Coast Sun in Queensland, as well as the Scone Advocate in the Hunter Valley. I started my career at the Ridge News in Lightning Ridge while I completed my journalism studies remotely at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
I am based at Orange and cover a wide range of subjects as well as the weekly business column. I've worked consistently in the the media industry since 2006 including the past seven years at the Central Western Daily. Before moving to Orange, I worked as a journalist at weekly newspapers the Beaudesert Times and the Gold Coast Sun in Queensland, as well as the Scone Advocate in the Hunter Valley. I started my career at the Ridge News in Lightning Ridge while I completed my journalism studies remotely at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.
