BreastScreen Aotearoa
Freephone 0800 270 200
BreastScreen Aotearoa was established nationally in December 1998 to provide free mammograms and follow-up for asymptomatic women.
For consumer information
If you're looking for information about having a mammogram, visit Time to Screen or phone 0800 270 200.
If you need support to screen, you can find information here: Screening Support Services.
Along with the National Cervical Screening Programme, BreastScreen Aotearoa was administered by the Health Funding Authority (HFA) until the merging of the HFA and the Ministry of Health in December 2000.
Age range extension
In July 2004, the eligible age range for free breast screening was extended from 50–64 to 45–69, effectively doubling the number of women able to take part in the programme.
Aim of the programme
The aim of BSA is to reduce women’s morbidity and mortality from breast cancer by identifying cancers at an early stage, allowing treatment to be commenced sooner than might otherwise have been possible. The current coverage target is for two-yearly screening of 70 percent of eligible women. The programme is delivered throughout the country by lead providers, their sub-contracted providers, and mobile units that deliver services to rural and some urban communities. Working alongside the lead providers are nine independent service providers in defined geographical areas providing health promotion for Māori and Pacific women.
In this section
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Information for health professionals who work in the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme
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These publications and reports are available for download in PDF format.
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Programme monitoring is used by the National Screening Unit to assess how the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme is meeting its performance indicators and targets.
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Access BSA monthly and quarterly coverage reports.
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All BreastScreen Aotearoa facilities have to meet the BreastScreen Aotearoa National Policy and Quality Standards (NPQS).
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This page contains resources specifically designed for Health Professionals.
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Addressing the harms of population breast screening
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The BreastScreen Aotearoa Action and Advisory Group was formed in 2023 updating the previous advisory group which ran from 2003. Its role is to support the National Screening Unit (NSU) to achieve its vision for mana-enhancing, equitable, high-quality and accessible national screening programmes.
Page last updated: 28 August 2018