Yet 17,600 eligible women did not have a mammogram in the past two years.

In the Western NSW Local Health District 55.8 per cent of eligible women had the potentially- lifesaving screening in the same period.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month health authorities are urging women aged 50 to 74 years to have regular mammograms and demystifying the reasons why they don’t.

The health district has also released dates for more “Yarning Circles”. 

The pilot program seeks to increase the screening of Aboriginal women through talks on “fears and barriers”.

“Once each session is finished we hope that people will be less fearful of getting screened and we will provide them with the opportunity to get screened right then and there,” the health district’s Kay Smith said.

Yarning Circles will be held at Narromine on October 31 and November 13, and Peak Hill on November 23.

One in eight women in NSW is diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime but the state’s chief cancer officer and chief executive officer of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow, reports that it “does not need to be a death sentence”. 

“We know that detecting breast cancer early means women have better treatment options, and ultimately a better outcome,” he said. “The best way for women aged 50 to 74 to detect cancer early is to have a mammogram every two years.” 

Director of BreastScreen’s  Greater Western service Meg O'Brien said there were many reasons why women put off having a mammogram.

“Some feel that without a family history they are not at risk, some say they are too busy and others fear embarrassment,” she said.

 “We need women to know that breast cancer can happen to anyone. In fact, nine out of 10 women who develop breast cancer have no family history.

“A mammogram with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes 20 minutes and is performed by highly trained female-only staff.

“Most importantly, it could save your life.”