While breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Australian women, some residents have had to travel hours for critical diagnostic mammograms.
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When 67-year-old Angledale resident Mary Guthrey's doctor told her she needed a breast scan, she was shocked to hear she would have to drive to either Canberra or Moruya for the 10-15 minute examination.
"It's just not good enough. For someone on a limited income it's just not good enough," Ms Guthrey said.
"This is an appalling state of affairs. Not everyone can afford to jump in a car and travel to these centres."
After being turned away from radiology and the South East Regional Hospital, Ms Guthrie claimed she was told by a hospital staff member there had been no available mammographer for "months", and she would need to travel to Moruya, over 120km away.
She's not the only one, with other residents also taking to social media this week reporting the lack of services.
Mammograms can detect cancers before they can be seen or felt, and in NSW women aged between 50 and 74 are advised to have the procedure every two years. The X-ray examination can detect whether or not unusual signs or symptoms found by a doctor indicate possible breast cancer, and whether further tests and treatment may be required.
Shortly after the hospital opened its doors in 2016, BreastScreen NSW announced a mammographer would be available three days per week, yet the information was reportedly not passed on to hospital staff.
Ms Guthrie claims she was told a mammographer is flown into the region by Breast Screen NSW when required for checkups.
"Why are people in the Bega Valley put at risk because hospital management cannot get a mammographer?," Ms Guthrey said.
"I would like to see some action to remedy this ineptitude."
According to the Australian government, almost 20,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. It estimates the disease will kill 32 men and 3,058 women this year.
While statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare collected between 2009 and 2013 show cancer rates on the South Coast are above the national average, breast cancer rates are slightly below average.
The Southern NSW Local Health District was contacted for comment but did not respond by the time of publishing.