At BreastScreen SA, we’re supporting the challenge to Be Brave, Make Change as we celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2022.
BreastScreen SA is committed to working together with communities to provide a breast cancer screening service that is caring, empowering and equitable.
We have a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), supported by a Working Group, to help us achieve equitable participation in breast cancer screening in South Australia.
The BreastScreen SA Reconciliation Statement reads:
At BreastScreen SA, Reconciliation means strengthening our connections and establishing relationships based on mutual understanding, trust and respect with the Aboriginal community. As a breast cancer screening program, we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal women by providing a service that is caring, empowering and equitable.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. If breast cancer is found at an early stage, there is a greater chance of saving a woman’s life.
BreastScreen SA works together with communities to develop a range of strategies to increase the participation of Aboriginal women in screening and to raise awareness about the importance of early cancer detection. These strategies include:
- Working closely with Aboriginal health workers within Local Health Networks and Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Services to increase screening health literacy, as well as to develop and provide community information that is culturally respectful and appropriate for communities.
- Working together with Aboriginal Health Services to organise “Screening and Pamper Days” that provide a supportive environment for Aboriginal women to come together to share lunch, a yarn and some pampering while also having a breast screen.
- Visiting rural and remote locations with our mobile units, including Marla near the APY Lands, to help women screen nearer to country. During these visits, care packages are provided for women to make their visit to Marla and screening more comfortable.
- Arabana Elder, Aunty Martha Watts has become a Community Ambassador for the BreastScreen SA program, encouraging Aboriginal women to participate in regular screening for the early detection of breast cancer.
- Partnering with Wellbeing SA to create the “One Stop Screening Shop” – a targeted initiative offering screening days, where participants complete all 3 screening health checks (breast, bowel and cervix) to receive an Indigenous health polo shirt.
For more information, please contact our Communications & Engagement Team via email at BSSAComms@sa.gov.au.