Mammogram reminder to Wellington women

1 October 2009

Wellington women due for their two-yearly breast screening are being reminded to make mammograms a priority in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Te Rangi Winitana from BreastScreen Central says eligible women aged between 45 and 69 can have free mammograms every two years through the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme.

She says October is the perfect time for women who are due for their breast screening to book an appointment.

“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great opportunity to reinforce the important messages about breast cancer and breast screening. We know that screening can find very small cancers before a lump can be felt – and it could save your life.

“We also know that, while increases are being seen in our screening coverage, we still need more Maori and Pacific women to come for their two-yearly mammograms. We’re asking our Maori and Pacific women and communities to make breast screening a priority in October.

“Our service is committed to supporting our women into BreastScreen Aotearoa. Whether it’s talking women through the enrolment process, being flexible with our appointment times or simply helping with transport, we will make the service work.”

The programme aims to screen 70 percent of eligible women every two years. National figures to June 2009 show that around 56 percent of eligible Pacific women and 52 percent of eligible Maori women were screened by the programme. This compares to 68 percent for other women.

The BreastScreen Central team will be setting up health promotion stalls at the following sites around the Wellington region, to provide more information on breast screening:

* October 3 Newlands & Johnsonville Pharmacy 9.30am -11.30am and 12.30pm-2.30pm

* October 6 Silverstream New World 10.30am onwards

* October 8 Trentham Mall 10am-1pm

* October 19 Johnsonville Mall 9am-late night

* October 22 Queensgate Mall 10am-4pm.

The BreastScreen Central mobile unit will be in Porirua outside Bunnings Warehouse, 9 Heriot Drive, September 28 – October 29, 2009.

To register with BreastScreen Aotearoa, call freephone 0800 270 200, or visit http://http://www.breastscreen.govt.nz

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