BreastScreen progress has flatlined. BCNA responds to AIHW data. 

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is calling on the Federal Government to immediately action recommended reforms to the national BreastScreen program. The latest AIHW data reveals participation in BreastScreen has flatlined for more than 20 years. Despite three decades of investment, BreastScreen is outdated, and reviews have not kept pace with advancements in technology or population growth and remains a one-size-fits-all model for all Australian women.

The BreastScreen Australia Monitoring Report 2025 shows that in 2023 – 2024 1.9 million women aged 50–74 participated in BreastScreen — just 52.0% of the target population. This is only a marginal rise from 50.0% in 2021–2022, 1.8 million and reflects population growth and COVID recovery — not genuine program improvement. Of particular concern is consistently poor uptake and equity of access to screening by indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

BCNA Director of Policy, Advocacy & Support Services, Vicki Durston, said the results are falling short of community expectations.

“We need the screening program to work. Yes, more women are being screened — but that’s because there are more women, not because the program is performing better. The proportion screened has barely shifted since the 1990s. We are still well short of the 70% benchmark set by our own government, and far behind countries like Denmark, Sweden and Finland, where participation exceeds 80%. Australia is falling dangerously behind. The data released today clearly demonstrates that breast cancer is not solved and we still have a long way to go."

BCNA is concerned there is a lack of national consistency on breast density reporting; no clear pathway to embrace risk stratified screening and a lack of clear direction and national investment in AI to support workforce shortages and improved technology to detect breast cancer early.

As Australia begins breast cancer awareness month Ms Durston says it’s unacceptable that the BreastScreen Australia National Policy and Funding Review, announced in 2023, has now been delayed until 2026.” Screening saves lives but without bold reform, Australia’s breast screening program will remain outdated, fragmented, and well below the benchmark our own government has set. Women and their families deserve better.”

BCNA says women and families cannot wait any longer for an effective, modern breast screening program and is calling for urgent action:

• Lift participation: Launch a national early detection and health promotion campaign to rebuild confidence and drive participation to 70% or higher, in line with national and global best practice.
• Reform the model: Move to risk-stratified screening, tailoring intervals and methods based on individual risk factors like family history, breast density, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status.
• Invest in innovation: Implement breast density reporting as per national standards, integrate AI, and build research into the program itself.
• Ensure equity: Deliver on the commitment to closing the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• End fragmentation: Establish national consistency across eligibility, updated national accreditation standards, and investment, with leadership from the Commonwealth.