PANGULA Mannamurna hosted its free cancer screening and information session yesterday, providing a safe environment for Aboriginal women to openly discuss health issues.
The session – delivered by a partnership between Pangula and Wellbeing South Australia – also provided at-home screening kits and transport options to the BreastScreen SA van at the Mount Gambier and District Hospital, encouraging the women to take control of their health.
Pangula staff member Jade Millerick said the seminar was critical for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal women in the Limestone Coast, which she said was a sensitive topic.
“The seminar is part of the closing the gap movement and so far we have found these sessions positive as it breaks down those barriers of discussion that some of us do avoid,” Ms Millerick said.
“It also provides a safe environment to have an open discussion about cancer and what we can do to prevent it.”
During the sessions, attendees discussed the different screenings available and how best to have them done.
“The session itself is a discussion with representatives from Wellbeing SA giving an information session and women having the opportunity to ask questions and clarify but also share stories of any experience they have had themselves,” she said.
“In the afternoon they have the opportunity to get up to date with any screenings that have not been done yet.
“We are really happy to see the community come together over a topic that many of us avoid and it is very positive to see the screenings getting done and people asking those questions and the benefits from that.”
Wellbeing SA’s Julie Patterson said the sessions helped alleviate fears around the screenings.
“This time around we are also talking about cervical cancer self-screening that women can do themselves and we are certainly hoping that many women who have had screenings before jump on board with this,” Ms Patterson said.
“Many general practitioners want to build screening into everyday practice and we are encouraging people to have them done not only on special days but to take the initiative and do them all the time.”
Cancer is the second most common cause of death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is anticipated to become the most common cause of death in the next 10 years, which was a catalyst for holding yesterday’s seminar.
