From October 2025, BreastScreen Aotearoa will begin extending free breast screening to women up to age 74 (Nelson/Marlborough began as a pilot in 2024). The rollout will be phased in gradually (the age extension will begin with women in the two age groups of 70 and 74), with full implementation by 2029. Phasing in each age group over four years will enable breast screening and cancer treatment services to progressively meet the additional demand.
This is the first age extension in over 20 years and is expected to save an additional 22 lives each year through earlier detection and treatment.
A quick reference factsheet (PDF) has been developed to share this information. Any pātai, contact breastscreen.aotearoa@tewhatuora.govt.nz.
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