Australia to shift breast cancer screening to risk-based model

Australia is shifting its approach to breast cancer screening from age-based protocols to risk-based screening. According to a recent review, future screenings will prioritize individual risk factors rather than relying solely on a person's age.

This personalized approach aims to improve early detection and treatment outcomes by utilizing data such as family history, genetic testing, breast density, and artificial intelligence. High breast density—characterized by an abundance of fibroglandular tissue in mammograms—is identified as a significant risk factor that can also make cancer harder to detect.

These changes to the existing 'BreastScreen' program will not be immediate. Instead, the transition to risk-based screening is expected to be implemented gradually over the next ten years.