AUSTRALIAN women are being urged to continue and be up to date with their mammograms.

New research reveals that overall fewer Australian women are having regular breast screens.

Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for 2013/14 show that 53.7%, just over half of Australian women are currently receiving breast scans.

This figure has dropped from 57.6% in 2001/02.

House Call Doctor Chief Executive Officer Wayne Ormond said it is important that women take part in regular mammograms in order to detect breast cancer sooner.

“The earlier these cancers can be detected the sooner they can be treated” said Mr Ormond.

On a positive note Queenslanders are being praised with the state-wide average 3.4% above that of the national average.

A mammogram appointment with BreastScreen Queensland is free only takes 30 minutes.