Breast screening information for women aged 70 and over

Free mammograms are currently offered to women between the ages of 45 to 69 every 2 years. 

From October 2025 the age for free breast screening will start to be extended across Aotearoa New Zealand (apart from Nelson and Marlborough, which started as a pilot district in October 2024).

Age extension in the Nelson and Marlborough district

Extending the age to include all women up to the age of 74 will be fully in place by the end of 2029. Phasing in each age group over 4 years will allow breast screening and cancer treatment services to meet the additional demand.

From October 2025 the age extension for further breast screening begins with women in the 2 age groups of 70 and 74. 

If you turn 70 on or after 1 October 2025, you are eligible for free mammograms every 2 years (from your last screen) until aged 75.

If you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2025, you are eligible for one final screen at age 74 if booked before turning 75.

If you live in the Nelson and Marlborough district, age extension started in October 2024. This means: 

• if you turn 70 on or after 1 October 2024, you are eligible for free mammograms every 2 years (from your last screen) until aged 75
• if you are 70 to 74 before 1 October 2024, you are eligible for one final screen at age 74 if booked before turning 75.

If you are eligible and due for a mammogram with BreastScreen Aotearoa, you should receive an invitation by email, text or letter. You can enrol and book either: 

• online using the secure personalised link in your invitation
• by freephoning. 

If you think you are eligible and due, but have not received an invitation, let us know by calling the freephone number 0800 270 200, or by completing the enrolment form. 

Sign up for your 2-yearly mammogram

You can choose whether or not to participate in BreastScreen Aotearoa. You can ask to opt out of the programme at any time. You can also ask to rejoin, as long as you remain eligible.

What you need to know about breast screening

Talk with your healthcare provider about whether continuing to have mammograms is right for you based on your individual risk factors, overall health, and your preferences.

Mammograms are an important part of checking breast symptoms (like a new breast lump or change) for women of any age. While not done as part of the screening programme, with a healthcare provider's referral women with symptoms can have free mammograms at a public hospital.

Those at a greater than average risk of getting breast cancer can also be referred by a healthcare provider to have free mammograms, even if they do not have symptoms. This applies if, for example, you have had one (or more) of the following:

• a previous breast cancer
• a previous biopsy showing abnormal breast cells
• a close relative (for example, a mother, sister, daughter, aunt or grandparent) who developed breast cancer (especially if in both breasts), or ovarian cancer.

All women need to get to know what their breasts are like normally (whether having mammograms or not).

If you notice any of the following changes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible:

• a new lump in the breast or armpit
• changes to the breast shape or size
• changes to the skin of the breast such as dimpling, puckering, or thickening
• changes in the nipple, such as turning inwards, ulcers, or a new itch
• nipple discharge or bleeding
• persistent redness
• pain in the breast that does not go away.

Women of any age with breast cancer symptoms can have free mammograms with their healthcare provider's referral.