LOCAL LIFE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: BreastScreen NSW
by Lorna Gordon
A brand-new health service has arrived in the heart of Blacktown, bringing with it hope, reassurance, and convenience for thousands of local women. You no longer have to wait for a mobile van to come to your area, a new permanent BreastScreen NSW clinic has officially opened its doors on Warrick Lane, offering free breast screening in an easy to reach location.
For many women in our community, finding the time to travel for health appointments can be difficult especially when juggling work, family, and daily life. This new service, right across from the Main Street Plaza in Blacktown and only a short walk from Westpoint Shopping Centre, is set to change that.
Local MP, Stephen Bali hopes the new clinic will encourage more local women to get the vital screening which is available to them.
“ This modern breast screening clinic with the latest technology is a gamechanger for women in our area. Breast screening in Blacktown City is below NSW averages, with only around 40 % of eligible women up to date with screening, but this new modern facility will allow women to have a quick, convenient and easy to reach location for a potentially life-saving screening.”
The clinic is on Level 1, 2 Warrick Lane and is open six days a week. For those catching public transport, it’ s only 350 metres from Blacktown Station. And if you’ re driving, the Warrick Lane car park
The opening of the new BreastScreen clinic in Blacktown was attended by:( L-R) Brad Bunting, Mayor, Blacktown City Council; A / Professor Nirmala Pathmanathan, Service Director Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and BreastScreen NSW( Sydney West); Professor Tracey O’ Brien AM, NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive, Cancer Institute NSW; Honourable Ryan Park, Minister for Health and Stephen Bali, Member for Blacktown.
offers three hours of free underground parking.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Australian women. Around one in seven women will develop it during their lifetime, and the chances of survival are far greater when it’ s detected early.
Regular screening plays a huge role in catching cancer before it can be seen or felt. For women aged 50 to 74, having a breast screen every two years is the best way to protect themselves. BreastScreen NSW also recommends Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women start screening from the age of 40.
While the numbers are important like the 85,000 women in Blacktown who now have access to this service it’ s the personal stories that truly highlight the value of this clinic. Many women in our community have been touched by breast cancer, whether through their own diagnosis or that of a family member or friend. Having a screening centre right here in Blacktown is about making sure fewer of those stories end in heartbreak.
So many women are scared or embarrassed to have this simple procedure, and if you are worried about having a mammogram done, please don’ t be put off. Speaking from personal experience, I’ ve found all staff in breast screening clinics to be respectful and professional and have made me feel relaxed for the short period of time it took to get it done.
Early detection can make all the difference, if you’ ve noticed any changes in your breasts, it’ s important to see your GP without delay. And if you’ re due for a screening, booking is simple. Just visit the BreastScreen NSW website www. breastscreen. nsw. gov. au or call 13 20 50.
The opening of the Blacktown BreastScreen NSW clinic means one less barrier for local women to take care of their health. It’ s a service designed for our community, in the centre of our busy city, and it’ s here to stay.
Would you like a vending machine
in your place of business?
Talk to us today!
Free Hire Available
WE SUPPLY Snacks & drink combos Drink machines Snack machines
Talk to us today!
0403 583 412 or 0421 574 093
PHOTO FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 54 // SEPTEMBER 2025 11