About breast screening

Regular breast screening with a mammogram (an x-ray of your breasts) has many benefits.

• Regular mammograms can find 80% to 90% of cancers.
• Regular mammograms can reduce your risk of dying from breast cancer by more than a third.
• Mammograms are free for eligible people between the ages of 45 and 69.

A mammogram exposes you to a small amount of radiation, but this is unlikely to cause harm.

You are eligible to enrol for free breast screening if you:  

• are a woman aged 45 to 69 
• do not have symptoms of breast cancer such as a lump, rash, nipple discharge, or changes in the shape or size of your breast 
• have not had a mammogram from another provider within the last 12 months 
• are not pregnant or breastfeeding 
• are eligible for public health services in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Eligibility for publicly funded health services — Health New Zealand (external link)

To enrol you can either:   

• call 0800 270 200  
• or fill in the enrolment form. 

Once you have signed up, we will contact you within 10 working days.

Sign up for your 2-yearly mammogram (internal link)

Once you have received your appointment, you will need to call  0800 270 200 to confirm or change it.  

When you call, let us know if you:  

• have had a mammogram before 
• need a clinic with wheelchair access
• need an interpreter 
• have problems moving your shoulder or arm 
• have breast implants 
• have a heart device such as a pacemaker
• have any other special requirements that may make having a mammogram a bit harder.  

There are other publicly funded options available if you are not eligible for the free 2-yearly mammograms. Ask your healthcare provider the next time you see them.

Information for women under 45 and over 70 years old

Free breast screening is available if you are between 45 and 69 years old.

The Breast Cancer Foundation has information about taking care of your breasts, including screening options for women under 45 and over 70.

Taking care of your breasts — Breast Cancer Foundation (external link)

Annual check-ups 

For the first 5 years after a breast cancer diagnosis, you will need close follow-up by a healthcare provider. This is because you are at increased risk of developing breast cancer again. These check-ups should include a clinical breast examination and an annual mammogram.  

We recommend you continue to see your breast specialist or healthcare provider for these check-ups. They will organise an annual mammogram for you through the public hospital or at a private radiology practice. The mammogram is free if it is organised through the public hospital.  

If you have had a mastectomy, you can still have mammograms of the other breast.  

Enrol or re-enrol for free breast screening

After 5 years if you are aged between 45 and 69, you can enrol or re-enrol for your free mammogram. If you have any questions, contact the BreastScreen Aotearoa team, freephone on 0800 270 200