13 September 2010
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander breast cancer survivors from far and wide will gather in Broome tomorrow (14 September) to share stories, broaden their knowledge and have their say on the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer in rural and regional Australia.
The gathering is the third Summit in a series of Supporting Sisters and Aunties to Survive! Summits being held across Australia by National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre*.The Summits bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer, supporters from their communities, and the health professionals who care for them, to learn more about breast cancer and to contribute their voices to the planning of information and support services.
Over 60 attendees from all over Western Australia, including those travelling from Albany, Derby, Falls Creek and Geraldton, are expected at the Broome summit to hear from a range of breast cancer experts on topics ranging from treatment for survival, to returning home, and sources of strength and support.
“One of the greatest things about the Summits is the opportunity they provide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer to come together and to offer support for one other,” said Dr Helen Zorbas, CEO of National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* and Cancer Australia.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience poorer rates of breast cancer survival than the Australian female population as a whole.
Dr Zorbas said poorer outcomes amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women can be partly attributed to the later detection of breast cancer and issues of compliance with treatment.
“We find Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are less likely to participate in mammographic screening, and also less likely to see their doctor when they notice a change in the look or feel of their breast compared with non-Indigenous women,” said Dr Zorbas.
“Our first challenge to improve outcomes is to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer are diagnosed in the early stages of the disease. Our second challenge is to ensure they complete their full course of treatment.”
The Broome summit follows two highly successful Supporting Sisters and Aunties to Survive! Summit held recently in Darwin and Lismore.
Improving knowledge and skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women and Health Professionals is a project of the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Program, funded by the Australian Government and delivered by National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre*.
EVENT DETAILS
The Summit will be held on Tuesday 14 September at the Mangrove Resort Hotel, 47 Carnarvon Street, Broome from 10am-3pm.
National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre* is funded by the Australian Government and works with consumers, health professionals, cancer organisations, researchers and governments to improve care and cancer control in breast and ovarian cancer.
Media Contact: Erin Sharp 0458 900 777