South Australia has announced a $19.3 million spending package over four years to increase and support digital screening services at BreastScreen SA.

 

The Treasurer, Jack Snelling, said the new digital technology would increase the total number of women screened from 73,000 this year to more than 96,000 by June 2015.


He said that in the first three years all eight analogue screening units currently in use will be replaced with digital mammography equipment, a new archive and communication system will be set up and a third mobile unit will be replaced.

 

The funding will be in conjunction with the Commonwealth Government who were investing $17.4 million in the new equipment while the State Government was investing $19.3 million to increase and support digital screening services at BreastScreen SA.

 

“Research published in the BreastScreen SA 20 Year Report showed that women who have regular screening mammograms reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 41 percent. Early detection allows women to be treated with less invasive, simpler procedures, and also reduces the need for them to be cared for in hospital,” General Manager of BreastScreen SA Lou Williamson said