As the campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer ramps up its activities and the city pinks up in support, it is alarming to learn that 17,600 women in the region have not been for screening in the past two years.
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It is clear that despite the prominence given during breast cancer awareness month in October (and through the rest of the year) there is still a long way to go.
The cancer predominantly affects women, with significantly smaller numbers of men becoming sufferers. It is the most common life-threatening cancer facing women.
It is devastating for victims, their families and the entire community. While many escape its clutches, sooner or later its ripple effects are felt by everyone.
Each year a huge number of families are ravaged as wives, mothers, sisters and daughters die from the disease.
In Western NSW, about 200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer a year. About 40 die.
The national toll in 2017 is 48 women diagnosed and eight dying every day.
One in eight NSW women is diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.
The statistics are awful, but the chief executive of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow, reports that it “does not need to be a death sentence”.
“We know that detecting breast cancer early means women have better treatment options, and ultimately a better outcome. The best way for women aged 50 to 74 to detect cancer early is to have a mammogram every two years,” he says.
Early detection, as with other cancers, increases the odds of beating the onslaught.
In the past two years 55.8 per cent of eligible women in the Western NSW Local Health District had screening tests.
The whole community needs to drive that percentage way, way up.
Experts say there are many reasons why women put off having a mammogram including: no family history of the illness; being “too busy”, and fear of embarrassment.
Women can help themselves by ensuring they have the regular mammograms and constantly updating their knowledge on the disease.
Families, friend groups and others can constantly encourage them, perhaps by having conversations about the importance of the potential life-saving measure.
Breast screening, whatever the challenges or issues, comes down to a simple fact.
Have it. It can save your life.
