Last September, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31. What began as a simple ultrasound quickly escalated into a mammogram and a biopsy. The entire process ended up being extremely costly, $1,442 to be exact. I received a rebate of $125 the day of payment, but had to wait a further 5 days for the remaining $535 rebate, leaving me $787 out of pocket for testing. After attending the breast clinic and completing the tests, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 ER/PR Breast Cancer. My story, fortunately, had a positive outcome because I was able to get tested early, yet it concerns me deeply when I think of other young women who may not be so fortunate.

Currently, in our healthcare system, women over 40 are entitled to free breast screening, with those over 50 invited for screenings. However, once symptoms manifest and a referral is needed, the cost becomes prohibitive. On average, an ultrasound costs about $600, and if further tests like a mammogram or a biopsy are needed, costs can climb to over $1,400 out of pocket on the day of tests. 

It's a daunting prospect considering the current cost of living, which pushes many women to avoid early testing altogether. This can lead to later diagnoses, which in turn, worsen prognosis significantly. Breast cancer, when caught early, has a much higher survival rate, yet financial barriers stand in the way of timely and necessary diagnoses.

By making ultrasounds and mammograms free for diagnostic purposes, we can ensure better health outcomes. This initiative is crucial. It would not only alleviate the financial burden but also encourage more women to undergo early testing, potentially saving many lives.

Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege dependent on one's financial situation. I urge you to sign this petition to push for policy changes that make diagnostic ultrasounds and mammograms accessible and free for all women in need.