People who detect changes or lumps in their breasts should see their GP rather than waiting for screening clinics and vans to reopen, says the Breast Cancer Network Australia.
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A number of BreastScreen NSW services have closed across the state as the COVID-19 outbreak because of the risk posed by the virus, as well as patient cancellations and the need to redeploy staff to aid the pandemic response.
Appointments will be rescheduled for a future date or at another service, says BreastScreen NSW.
The organisation says it has modelling showing that there will be minimal impact as long as women go on to screen once their program comes back.
But the Breast Cancer Network Australia is concerned that closing the services will delay early detection, diagnosis and potentially life-saving treatment.
"When a person finds a lump or sees changes in their breast, assessments and tests are key to finding out whether it's benign or whether it's a tumour that could be aggressive and quickly become harder to treat," says Professor Bruce Mann, a surgeon and BCNA board member.
"These assessments need to be done urgently to give women, and men, the best chance of recovery."
He said anyone with symptoms should not hesitate to contact their GP.
Academic research found that cancer diagnoses dropped by 10 per cent in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, which included the temporary closure of BreastScreen Victoria services.
BCNA says it is concerned that NSW could see a similar drop in diagnoses.
The clinics that are temporarily closed include those at David Jones and Myer stores, clinics at the Royal Hospital for Women, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital, Katoomba Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital, and in suburbs like Campsie, Bankstown and Campbelltown, as well as clinics in regional NSW.
Australian Associated Press
