Breast screening review points to more personalised risk

THE way Australian women are screened for breast cancer could undergo a major overhaul, with future screening set to take greater account of individual risk rather than relying primarily on age.

A newly released review of Australia’s BreastScreen program has recommended a move towards risk-stratified screening, considering factors including breast density, family history, genetic testing and potentially artificial intelligence when assessing a woman’s risk.

The changes are expected to be phased in over the next decade and could ultimately mean women receive screening better matched to their individual risk.

Under the current system, screening is largely organised around age, with women over 40 able to access a free mammogram every two years and women aged 50 to 74 invited to participate.

The proposed approach would instead consider what puts an individual woman at greater risk and potentially tailor the type and frequency of screening accordingly.