Otautau screening event reaching out to rural women

Media Release

Monday 3 October 2016

Otautau one-stop-shop screening event reaching out to rural Southland women

A one-stop-shop for cervical and breast screening is on offer in Otautau this week as the two programmes reach out to rural women in western Southland.

Southern DHB Cervical Screening Programme Leader Population Health Linda Moir said the screening event in Otautau from Monday October 4 to Wednesday October 6 was the first step in what was hoped to be a wider collaboration between the two screening services.

“What we’re trying to do is a one-stop-shop there for cervical and breast screening.”

They were also working in partnership with Otautau St John’s which had very generously made its rooms available to the cervical screening team, Moir said.

“This is the first time we’ve had the two services side by side out of a main centre.”

They were expecting to see women from throughout western Southland and had been working with medical centres in Otautau, Riverton and Tuatapere to spread the word about the event, she said.

“Time is often a barrier, especially for women in rural areas, with family commitments sometimes prioritised, so it’s a great opportunity for us to reach out into the community.”

The cervical screening team would be available in Otautau from 1pm to late on Monday (October 3), 9am-late on Tuesday (October 4) and 9am-2pm on Wednesday (October 5).

The BreastScreen Otago/Southland bus would remain in Otautau until Friday.

Moir said the Otautau event was particularly aimed at women who were overdue for a cervical smear or who had never been screened.

BreastScreen Aotearoa Otago/Southland Operations Manager Sharyn Robson said it was a great initiative for the two programmes to be working together in a rural area.

Southern DHB Cervical Screening Advisor Sue Smith said while they were primarily there for cervical screening, women would be free to discuss any other health and wellness issues.

New Zealand has one of the best screening programmes in the world. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and screening every three years can reduce the risk of developing it by up to 90 per cent.

The Cervical Screening Programme encourages informed participation by providing information and focusing on equitable access to services.

To book an appointment please call or text Cervical Screening Advisor Sue Smith on 03 211 8647 or 027 801 8263.

Women can also call the National Cervical Screening Register on 0800 729 729 to check when they are due.

For BreastScreen Aotearoa Otago/Southland services call 0800 270 200.

ENDS

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