Mrs BRAHAM - 1996-10-15
Members may note that I have a pink ribbon with the symbols ABC on it. Breast Cancer Day was held yesterday to raise funds for breast cancer research. It was aimed also to highlight the need for self-examination for women over the age of 35 and for regular mammograms for women over 50. In recent comments, Dr Chris Wake, the president of the local branch of the AMA, called these programs `pie in the sky' and of `dubious value'. He provided a real boost to the service because the women of the Territory reacted very angrily to his comments and showed strong support for the service by means of letters and phone calls etc. Will the minister give the women of the Territory an assurance of the government's continued commitment to this very important program?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. I can give an unequivocal assurance that the government remains committed to the breast screening program which is funded jointly by the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory governments to the order of $1m, and has been since 1994. To date, over 4000 women have been screened, with 11 women having had a cancer detected through that screening process.
In relation to Dr Chris Wake's allegation that this is program is `pie in the sky', I said at the time that I believed that he was out of touch with the AMA's policy on this. I refer members to the Handbook of Resolutions of the Australian Medical Association. In relation to breast cancer screening, it states:
The AMA affirms the value of preventive medicine and of national screening programs for the early detection of
disease. The AMA believes that primary prevention of breast cancer is not currently possible and screening mammography
Page 1682
constitutes a secondary preventive option. The AMA supports screening mammography for women over 50 years
of age for whom there are proven reductions in mortality from breast cancer. The AMA acknowledges
that there is as yet no proven mortality reduction from screening the 40 to 50 year age group.
I note that, in some of the medical journals, United States doctors are not advocating screening for women 40 years and above. Notwithstanding the value of these programs and their worth generally, the message needs to be put across that all women, particularly those in the target age group, should undertake regular self-examination. That should be supported by the advice of their general practitioner and by services such as our breast screening program. The program is gradually becoming far more mobile with visits to Katherine and a breast screening unit established in Alice Springs. I give the government's assurance that this program will be fully supported now and in the future.
Page 1683
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. I can give an unequivocal assurance that the government remains committed to the breast screening program which is funded jointly by the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory governments to the order of $1m, and has been since 1994. To date, over 4000 women have been screened, with 11 women having had a cancer detected through that screening process.
In relation to Dr Chris Wake's allegation that this is program is `pie in the sky', I said at the time that I believed that he was out of touch with the AMA's policy on this. I refer members to the Handbook of Resolutions of the Australian Medical Association. In relation to breast cancer screening, it states:
The AMA affirms the value of preventive medicine and of national screening programs for the early detection of
disease. The AMA believes that primary prevention of breast cancer is not currently possible and screening mammography
Page 1682
constitutes a secondary preventive option. The AMA supports screening mammography for women over 50 years
of age for whom there are proven reductions in mortality from breast cancer. The AMA acknowledges
that there is as yet no proven mortality reduction from screening the 40 to 50 year age group.
I note that, in some of the medical journals, United States doctors are not advocating screening for women 40 years and above. Notwithstanding the value of these programs and their worth generally, the message needs to be put across that all women, particularly those in the target age group, should undertake regular self-examination. That should be supported by the advice of their general practitioner and by services such as our breast screening program. The program is gradually becoming far more mobile with visits to Katherine and a breast screening unit established in Alice Springs. I give the government's assurance that this program will be fully supported now and in the future.
Page 1683
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016