Women’s health is not one-size-fits-all. What matters in your twenties can look quite different from what matters in your fifties or seventies, and the questions you bring to a doctor change along the way. Pink October is a useful moment to pause and ask: what does breast health look like for me, right now, at this stage of life?
At Haan Health Medical Centre, our Broadbeach clinic is on Level 1, 24 Victoria Square, and we also have a clinic in Upper Coomera. Haan Health is an RACGP-accredited teaching and training practice, and we offer bulk billing for eligible patients and services. Because availability can vary depending on the service and your circumstances, please call reception on (07) 5531 6033 to confirm eligibility. Here is a simple, age-by-age guide for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In your 20s and 30s: build the habit of knowing your normal
If you are under 40, breast cancer may not be top of mind, but awareness is a habit worth starting early. Cancer Australia notes that a woman can develop breast cancer at any age, regardless of her level of risk. Women under 40 are not eligible for a free breast screen through BreastScreen Queensland, so self-awareness and regular conversations with a GP play a bigger part.
Breast Cancer Network Australia’s guide to checking your breasts offers a practical approach: look in the mirror with your arms in different positions, then feel each breast with light, medium and firm pressure, including under the arm and up to the collarbone. Breasts change with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explains many of these changes in plain language. If you see or feel something that is new and unusual for you, book a GP visit rather than waiting.
In your 40s: time for a screening conversation
Your forties are often a busy time, with careers, teenagers and ageing parents all competing for attention. They are also the decade when you become eligible for a free breast screen. BreastScreen Queensland notes that women in their 40s can attend, and that there are different risks and benefits of screening in this age group. That is a good reason to have a conversation with a GP about what suits you.
This is also a good time to gather your family health history. Note which relatives have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer and at roughly what age, because these details matter more than the simple fact of a diagnosis. According to BreastScreen Queensland, most women with a relative who has had breast cancer are not at increased risk, but a GP can help you understand your own picture and arrange the right next steps. The breast cancer risk factor information from Cancer Council Queensland is a useful starting point for the conversation.
From 50 to 74: the years of regular screening
For women aged 50 to 74 without breast symptoms, BreastScreen Queensland recommends a screen every two years. If you have not screened by the time you turn 50, you will be sent an invitation to begin. About 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50, which is why this age group is the focus of the national BreastScreen Australia program.
Screening is free and does not require a referral, and appointments can be made by calling 13 20 50. Some locations offer early morning, evening and Saturday sessions, and the Gold Coast service notes that longer appointments are available for selected clients who need them. If you have noticed a change in your breasts, please see your GP first, as screening is designed for people without symptoms.
At 75 and beyond: your choices still matter
Women aged 75 and over remain eligible for a free breast screen if they choose to continue. Whether you screen is a personal decision, and it can help to talk it over with a GP who knows your overall health. Breast awareness continues to matter at every age, so keep noticing what is normal for you and mention anything new at your next visit.
At every age: the everyday choices that add up
Cancer Australia explains that some risk factors, such as being a woman, getting older and family history, cannot be changed. Others can be influenced, and it estimates that around a quarter of breast cancers could potentially be prevented through lifestyle and other changes. Keeping to a healthy weight range, being physically active, limiting alcohol and breastfeeding, where possible, are all associated with lower risk.
Cancer Council Queensland offers a free Cancer Risk Calculator and practical tips across six lifestyle areas. Around Broadbeach, it can be as simple as a regular walk along the foreshore or a swim before work. Little by little, small habits create a foundation for long-term wellbeing.
Why a local, coordinated approach can help
Looking after your health is easier when the pieces fit together. At Haan Health Broadbeach, you will find a range of allied health and support services onsite, which can mean fewer referrals and less travel. Onsite pathology collection is also available, so you may not need to travel to a separate collection centre for tests your doctor requests. Please check with reception for current details.
We welcome patients from Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Clear Island Waters, Burleigh, Miami, Robina and surrounding suburbs. As a teaching and training practice, we also support the education of GP registrars and medical students, which reflects our commitment to ongoing learning.
Get involved this October
Beyond your own check-in, Pink October is a chance to support the wider community. You could gather friends for a Pink Ribbon Breakfast, with a featured day on Thursday 22 October, or learn more about the National Breast Cancer Foundation and its research funding. Talking openly with the women in your life about breast health, screening and checking is a gift in itself.
Book your Pink October check-in
Whatever your age or stage, our team is here to help you feel informed and supported. You can book an appointment through the Haan Health appointment page or call (07) 5531 6033. You can also explore our full range of medical and allied services, or visit Haan Health Medical Centre to find out more. Bulk billing is available for eligible patients and services, so please ask our reception team when you book.