“Check Me Out, I’m Worth It!”

MEDIA RELEASE

16 September 2010

“Check Me Out, I’m Worth It!”

Motivated by a concern to save the lives of Pacific women from breast cancer, the local PACIFICA branch has recruited 14 women aged 45-69 years to have their first free mammogram in a few weeks time.

“Pacific women, along with our Maori sisters, are more likely to die from breast cancer than other women,” Vahine Orama PACIFICA Newtown Branch President Gabrielle Sisifo Makisi says.

When the branch learned about the low participation of Pacific women in breast cancer screening but higher rates of death from the disease they were moved to act.

“We’re talking potentially about our mothers, aunties, sisters, daughters, nieces, cousins … who are at risk of this disease; of course we have to act,” Ms Makisi says.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand women and the risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. However, regular screening can help to reduce the imbalance between Pacific and Maori women and other women.

The drive to recruit eligible women for their free mammogram has grown into a Pacific Health Day based at the Newtown Pacific Islands Presbyterian Church on Daniel Street.

Branch member Toreka Moresi is organising information stalls for a number of local health providers.

“A dozen providers have shown their support by agreeing to run information stalls throughout the day for Pacific women and their families,” Ms Moresi says. “We will also have registered Pacific nurses doing blood pressure checks, testing your sugar levels and cholesterol checks too.”

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, Ms Moresi says. “We’re delighted and we are telling our churches about the day, putting notices up at school, onto Pacific radio and TV; so we are looking forward to a good turnout from Pacific families.”

“Capital Samoa Radio announcers will also be there on the day, Ms Moresi says, so our people can put a face to the voices they know so well.”

Health providers on the day include: Regional Health, Pacific Health, Compass Health, Active Sports Wellington, SKIP, Mary Potter Hospice, Pacific Smoking Cessation, Family Planning, Breastfeeding and Pacific Mid-Wives and Pacific HeartBeat.

Vahine Orama PACIFICA Newtown Branch is part of the national organisation of Pacific women known as PACIFICA.

The Health Day is being held on Saturday 25 September 2010 at the PIC Church Hall on Daniel St from 11.00am to 2.00pm.

ENDS

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