BCNA continues to advocate for national reform at Australia's BreastScreen conference 

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is in Brisbane this week for the BreastScreen Australia Conference, as Australia's breast screening program stands at a critical turning point.

Once every two years, every state and territory, every policy maker, researcher, those with lived experience, clinicians, radiographers, radiologist surgeons and program leaders come together in one place at the BreastScreen Australia Conference.

Right now, women across Australia don’t experience a national breast screening system - they experience their state's version of it.

Standards, technology and information provided to women varies significantly depending on where they live. For example, breast density reporting was standardised by the Commonwealth in mid-2025 but not all states and territories have adopted the implementation and all are at different stages, demonstrating the inconsistencies in screening across the country.

Every woman, no matter where she lives, deserves equitable access to a screening program that detects breast cancer early to address the number one cause of cancer related burden for women in Australia.

BCNA wants to see national uplift in minimum standards and a committed plan to uphold national benchmarks for access, improved participation, investment into infrastructure and technology underpinned by strong fiscal investment at a Commonwealth and state level. 
BCNA also urges the government to share the outcome of the delayed BreastScreen Australia National Policy and Funding Review announced in 2023.

BCNA will continue to advocate for a modernised breast screening program that meets the needs of all Australian women, regardless of their postcode, cultural background and personal circumstances.