Breast screening

BreastScreen Aotearoa (BSA) provides free mammograms every two years to women aged 45-69. They can enrol in this service by calling 0800 270 200 or register online. There will be a phased roll out of age extension to age 74, likely starting in late 2024.

Once a patient turns 45, talk to her about enrolling with BSA, or enrol her during your consultation.

BreastScreening Aotearoa offers mammograms at fixed sites around the country, as well as mobile screening units. Find those locations here.

Referring symptomatic patients

If a patient presents with symptoms of breast cancer, they should be referred to the district breast clinic (or private radiology) by their GP. 

See the pathway for managing symptomatic patients.

Private screening

Screening mammograms and ultrasounds can also be performed at private breast or radiology clinics. Women who are not eligible through BSA (e.g. if they are under 45 and over 69) are able to make an appointment at these services at their own cost.

Breast Cancer Foundation NZ recommends women aged 40-50 consider having yearly mammograms as breast cancer is more aggressive in younger women. Women can have mammograms and/or ultrasounds in alternate years through a private clinic once they are eligible for the national screening programme, again at their own cost.

Thermography is not recommended as a breast screening or diagnostic tool.

There is limited evidence that male-to-female transgender patients on endocrine therapy have the same risk of developing breast cancer as a cisgender woman. See the breast screening guidelines for transgender patients.

Currently, BSA does not offer free mammograms for women over 70. However, a woman’s risk of breast cancer continues to increase as she ages.

The merits of continuing with breast screening until age 74 should be discussed. The Breast Cancer Foundation NZ decision aid can be used as a tool in these discussions.

Read more and see the criteria for free screening after 70.