Breast cancer fears mount with months-long waits for ultrasounds, mammograms amid ‘COVID catch-up’

Women who fear they may have breast cancer are enduring agonising months-long waits for critical radiology services in Perth’s public and private health systems, leaving them worried it may be too late when they finally get to see an expert. Multiple calls by The West Australian to SKG Radiology, Perth Radiological Clinic and Perth Breast Clinic at the private Mount Hospital revealed ultrasound and mammogram appointments were booked solid — in many cases for up to four months — leaving cancellations the only hope of getting in earlier. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said it was due to a combination of factors including deferred care. “We are seeing across the country people have put off going to the doctor, they have put off going to a specialist and they may have been prevented due to a close down in outpatient services or radiological services during a COVID outbreak, for example,” she said. “So that has definitely resulted in an increase and they are also experiencing staffing challenges. “Healthcare workers around the world are almost the most valuable workforce that is required in every single system.” It’s understood GPs and specialists have been playing catch-up on the “post-COVID” stampede by using telehealth rather than providing physical examinations themselves, sending patients straight to medical imaging centres — and overwhelming them. “Early intervention is critical in identifying and treating this disease and any delay to that process is obviously concerning and no doubt extremely unsettling for those affected,” WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam told The West. “Women should not be having to wait months to receive these critical diagnoses, potentially allowing their disease to progress, so that they can then commence treatment. “These potentially life-saving scans are not an optional extra and I would implore the Health Minister to look at all available options to try and reduce this waitlist.” To help ease the crisis, the State Opposition suggests expanding eligibility for mammograms provided by the Commonwealth-State jointly funded BreastScreen WA, which only provides them to women aged over 40 and with no symptoms such as lumps. “The Opposition have asked before about having the service expanded and the minister has batted that off as it’s not a government service but a contractor,” Leader Shane Love said. It could broaden eligible age groups “and make sure that the numbers of people who can be examined as quickly as possible are improved”. “If you’re concerned, four months is far too long,” Mr Love said. While a BreastScreen WA spokesperson was not available for comment, the service points out that mammograms can detect 70-90 per cent of breast cancers — as small as a grain of rice, before the patient or doctor can feel it. Breast cancer is the most common life-threatening cancer for women, with one in seven women in Australia developing it in their lifetime, according to BreastScreen WA. Last year, 20,428 women and 212 men in Australia were diagnosed with the disease, the Federal Government’s Cancer Australia says.