Early detection saves lives: Routine screening finds Jacqui's cancer before symptoms

Jacqui Nean Kahn had no idea she was sick. There was no lump she could feel, no pain, no visible change in her body. She was living her life in Moree, unaware that cancer was already growing inside her breast. It wasn't until she went for a routine mammogram that the disease revealed itself—caught early, before her body could send any warning signals at all.

Her story has become the centerpiece of BreastScreen NSW's Stay Strong, Black and Deadly campaign, a push to encourage Aboriginal women to embrace regular screening as a form of prevention and early intervention. As a Gomeroi woman, Kahn's experience carries particular weight in her community, where access to healthcare services and cultural trust in medical systems can both be barriers to care. The fact that screening found her cancer before symptoms emerged means she could begin treatment sooner, dramatically improving her chances of survival and recovery.

BreastScreen NSW operates on a simple principle: find cancer before the body announces it. A mammogram—essentially an X-ray of the breast tissue—can detect tumors as small as a grain of rice, far too tiny for a woman to notice on her own. The program is designed specifically for women without symptoms, making it a tool of prevention rather than diagnosis. For women aged 50 to 74, the recommendation is straightforward: a screening every two years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are advised to begin screening at 40, recognizing that health disparities can mean earlier onset or more aggressive disease in these populations.

Starting July 29 and running through August 21, 2026, a mobile screening van will park at Moree Services Club on Albert Street, bringing the service directly to the community rather than requiring women to travel to a distant clinic. The appointment takes about 20 minutes. There is no doctor's referral required. The screening is free. A female radiographer conducts the examination. The clinic operates in afternoon and morning slots across the week, with extended hours Tuesday through Thursday to accommodate working women and caregivers. The facility is fully accessible, and parking is available at no cost.

For women considering whether to book an appointment, BreastScreen NSW offers practical guidance. Those aged 40 to 49 and those 75 and older can access screening, though they should discuss the decision with their GP first. Women who notice any actual change—a lump, nipple discharge, unusual pain, a shift in breast shape—should see their doctor immediately rather than wait for a routine appointment. The screening program is not a substitute for symptom-based care; it is a parallel track for catching disease in its earliest, most treatable stages.

The logistics are straightforward enough that they shouldn't become an excuse. Wear a two-piece outfit so the upper body can be exposed. Skip the deodorant, powder, and creams that morning, as these products can interfere with the image quality. If you have a physical or health condition that requires accommodation, mention it when booking. Call 13 20 50 to schedule. Interpreter assistance is available at 13 14 50. TTY users can dial 133 677. The online booking service is also open.

Kahn's cancer was found because she showed up. She had no symptoms pushing her to seek care, no pain or visible sign that something was wrong. She simply made an appointment during a routine screening visit and allowed the technology to do what it was designed to do: see what the human body cannot yet feel. That early detection gave her time—time to begin treatment, time to fight the disease while it was still small and contained. For the women of Moree and the surrounding district, the mobile van's arrival offers that same opportunity, brought to their doorstep.