Shepparton MP Jeanette Powell is encouraging women aged 50-69 to have regular screening mammograms after revealing statistics.

BreastScreen Victoria has found only half of women in this age group in Shepparton had a mammogram in 2008-10.

Ms Powell said early detection of breast cancer through regular breast screens will save lives.

"In Shepparton, 50 per cent of the eligible female population had a breast screen between 2008-10," she said.

"This was marked by BreastScreen Victoria as a fair result, and compared to the state average of 53.8 per cent."

Ms Powell said BreastScreen Victoria’s target rate for Victoria is 70 per cent.

“I would encourage all women within this age group to book in for a mammogram," she said.

"They are free and it is important that if a woman does have breast cancer, it is detected early as treatment is more likely to be successful.”

A fixed screening unit is located at Goulburn Valley Screening Centre, 104 Nixon St, Shepparton. Phone 13 20 50 for an appointment. No doctor’s referral is needed.