The Bowral clinic, which opened on February 22 1984, has conducted more than 23,000 breast screens in their ten years of operation, with more than 100 local women diagnosed with breast cancer through the service.

Of the 100 women diagnosed with cancer, the majority were diagnosed through the service before they displayed any symptoms.

BreastScreen Health Promotions manager Melissa Manning said the Bowral staff were proud to celebrate 10 years of service with the Southern Highlands community.

"We are very lucky to have such a dedicated group of staff at the Bowral centre, with our four original staff members still there...the experience of our team is a real asset to the community," she said.

"We are (also) really encouraged by the number of women who have been coming for several years now...because it means that women are making having their breast screening a normal part of their health routine."

One local resident who has benefited from the service is Dyan Verity, who was diagnosed with breast cancer after she had a screening done

eight years ago.

After discovering the clinic by chance during a visit to Bowral Hospital, Ms Verity's early diagnosis of breast cancer through the screening meant she was able to receive quick treatment for her cancer and didn't need to have her breast removed.

Now fully recovered from her experience, Ms Verity makes sure she has a regular breast screen and credits the Bowral BreastScreen service with saving her life.

"The staff are absolutely wonderful...(and) the fact that it is free and provided in this area means there really is no excuse (for others not to do it)- you owe it to yourself and your family," she said.

BreastScreen GWS radiologist Dr Warwick Lee, who was instrumental in establishing the Bowral Hospital service, encouraged other local women to take advantage of their free service.

"It takes 15 minutes to have the appointment, and for most women that's it- they receive a letter in two years time asking them to come and have the test repeated so we can see if anything's changed," he said.

Women aged 50 to 69 are encouraged to have a breast scan once every two years. To make an appointment call 13 20 50, 1800 812 163 or drop in at the Bowral Hospital clinic. Screening at the Bowral clinic is available from Monday to Wednesday.