Kylie publicity sparks rise in women seeking cancer screening

Published on 08/08/2005 12:40

MEDIA coverage of Kylie Minogue's battle with breast cancer prompted an "unprecedented" rise in the number of Australian women seeking early screening for the disease.

The 37-year-old cancelled her Australian "Showgirl" tour in May after she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery to remove a lump from her breast.

A study published in the most recent edition of the Medical Journal of Australia examined the number of mammogram bookings made by women over 40 at four government-run clinics that provide free screening.

Researchers found that the number of reservations made for breast exams rose by an average of 40 per cent during the two weeks after the pop superstar's diagnosis was made public.

The number of women who made a booking for an initial, or first-time, mammogram rose by nearly 101 per cent during the same period, the study found.

The study's author, Simon Chapman, said the increase in first-time mammograms was unprecedented, despite years of public health campaigns advising women to seek early screening for the disease.

"Her situation obviously touched an awful lot of people," said Mr Chapman, a professor of public health at Sydney University.