Multicultural women targeted in new BreastScreen campaign

A new BreastScreen campaign, recently launched at Auburn Train Station, aims to encourage culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women to get their breasts checked.

A billboard, erected in a prominent location at the train station, aim to remind commuters to make time for vital breast screening.

The Westmead Breast Cancer Institute (BCI) and BreastScreen NSW – who set up the billboard – have been working hard to increase awareness of breast screening, especially among women from different backgrounds, where screening rates are particularly low.

 

Nuha Abdul Razaq and Ying Zhang from Auburn Diversity Services said they were delighted to see a focus on the health of CALD women, particularly Arabic and Chinese-speaking women.

“It is important for ladies to look after their health and have regular mammograms,” Nuha said.

“Early detection can save your life,” added Ying.

“We’re really hopeful that a lot of women will come along to the information sessions – it’s a chance for women to learn more about breast cancer awareness and the BreastScreen program before visiting the clinic at Auburn Hospital for a screen.”

Presently across NSW, only half of women aged 50 to 74 are having regular mammograms, despite the benefits of breast screening.

Westmead BCI director Associate Professor Nirmala Pathmanathan said it was critical for all women over the age of 50 to have a mammogram every two years.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women – one in eight women will develop breast cancer by the time they turn 85,” she said.

“Breast cancers are best treated in their earliest stages and mammograms are the best way of finding breast cancer early before symptoms develop.”

The billboards will be on display until mid-May 2017.

Breast screening clinics are located across western Sydney, including at Auburn Hospital.

To book an appointment, contact BreastScreen NSW on 13 20 50.

Westmead BCI is keen to visit more CALD women’s groups based in western Sydney, including social groups, businesses and community bodies, who want to learn more about breast cancer awareness and the BreastScreen program.

For more information or to register your interest, contact the marketing team on 9845 9482.