The Government's extension of free breast cancer screening has been pushed back to late 2025.
The Coalition will raise the age of free screening to 74 years old. Currently, women aged between 45 and 69 years can get a free mammogram every two years.
Budget 2024 provided $31 million over 10 years to extend the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme, however, the rollout won't be until late 2025.
Appearing on AM on Monday, Breast Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Ah-Leen Rayner said she would love the rollout to happen immediately but there are logistical aspects to work through so women currently in the screening programme aren't impacted.
"We are disappointed that it can't happen immediately but we also understand that there are some serious logistical aspects which have to be planned for," Rayner told co-host Melissa Chan-Green.
"There will be an extra 120,000 women entering and staying in the screening programme so that means equipment needs to be purchased, in some cases, sites need to be purchased and that equipment has a lead time."
Rayner said more staff, such as mammographers, radiographers and breast screen nurses, will be needed to help the rollout.
She said Breast Cancer Foundation is working closing with BreastScreen Aotearoa to make sure they are acting on this as fast as possible.
"What we know is that because women aged 70 to 74 are still at risk, with the delay in the screening rollout it's important for them to do regular health checks [and] know the signs and symptoms. But also, if they can afford to, go private and pay for mammograms."
Watch the full interview above.
Newshub.
