News Flash

On Tuesday 20 July 2010, it was reported on Adelaide media that the Government may be going to cut breast screen services in order to fund the new digital breast screening technology.

This is an example of the Government's approach to health care funding. This proposal will put more South Australian women at risk of breast cancer, in order to fund new breast cancer technology.

The new digital technology has been introduced across Australia and has proved to be significantly more effective than the current technology.  It has been reported that it is particularly effective for early detection of breast cancer in young women.

The proposed cuts in breast screen service will have a direct impact on the number of cancer detections. If jobs are cut to fund the equipment, less detections will occur.  The closing of Saturday services will mean the service becomes less accessible.

The PSA is concerned that the proposal not only plans to cut jobs to fund the technology, those staffing and service cuts will have a direct impact on the community.  Less women will have early detection of breast cancer.

Experts have pointed out that early detection of breast cancer saves the community not only the human heart ache but the economic benefits are significant, as early detection reduces the level of expensive interventions.

It appears the Government is again taking a short term view and is not prepared to fund new technology and maintain current breast screening services.

PSA Industrial Officer Margie Lindley can be contacted on mcl@cpsu.asn.au for further information about this issue.  You can also contact Margie if you have any information about proposed service
cuts in your area.