A Tauranga nurse says some Western Bay of Plenty women are fearful of breast screening and now local health authorities are doing more to encourage women to get tested.
Te Kupenga Hauora o Tauranga is offering Western Bay women, aged 45-69, free transport to and from breast screening appointments.

Nurse Cathy Haxell, Dr Geoff Esterman and healthcare assistant Mihi Reweti outside the Gate Pa Medical Centre.

Gate Pa medical centre nurse Cathy Haxell says many women fear breast screening but when they have been once, they are happy to go again.
Tauranga Breast Screening coordinator Karen Semmens says staff can also go along with women if they need support.
"Staff at the Gate Pa Medical Centre have used our service and referred more women to the breast screening programme as a result."
Gate Pa GP Dr Geoff Esterman says for other women it is simply a case of not having the transport available to attend appointments.
For more information on breast screening, speak to your GP about a referral or contact Breastscreen Aotearoa on 0800 270 200.
For help with travel assistance or support at an appointment, ask your GP for a referral to Te Kupenga Hauora.