Forty per cent of women from Northern NSW overdue for breast screening

By Ian Rogers

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women aged 50-74 in the Northern NSW Local Health District are being encouraged to schedule a free mammogram, as over 40% (44.7%) of women in the region are overdue for their biannual breast cancer screening.

Patrick Magee, Acting Director of BreastScreen NSW’s North Coast Screening and Assessment Service, emphasized that with around 300 local women expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, now is the time to book a free, potentially life-saving breast screen.

“For women aged 50-74, a breast screen every two years is still the best way to detect breast cancer early – before it can be seen or felt,” Mr Magee said.

“If you’re aged 50 – 74, make breast screening a priority. It only takes 20 minutes and no doctor’s referral is needed.”

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BreastScreen NSW is urging women to “Be A Friend, Tell A Friend” about the importance of regular mammograms. The campaign encourages women to spread the word through conversation and social media, reminding friends, family, and colleagues to prioritize breast cancer screenings.

Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, highlighted that early detection is key: when breast cancer is found in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. However, this drops to 43.9 percent when the cancer has spread to other organs.

“More than 6500 women in NSW are expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis this year, and 1,000 women are expected to lose their lives to the disease in 2024, so we need to do everything we can to support women and encourage them to book in a life-saving breast screen,” Professor O’Brien said.

“Early detection not only significantly increases a person’s chance of survival it can also greatly reduce the need for invasive treatment like a mastectomy.

“I know how hard it can be to block out time for yourself. Unfortunately, breast cancer doesn’t wait, so I encourage all eligible women to stop and put themselves first – for themselves and their family.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with age and gender being the biggest risk factors—family history is not the primary concern.

Women aged 50-74 are advised to have a breast screen every two years. BreastScreen NSW also recommends that Aboriginal women begin screening at 40, as research indicates they are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, with more advanced cancer at diagnosis and poorer survival rates compared to the general female population.

Any woman who notices changes in her breasts, such as a lump, should consult her doctor immediately.

For more information and to make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

For more information about the Be A Friend Tell A Friend promotion visit here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Honorable Aileen MacDonald has reminded the public that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Ms. MacDonald emphasised the importance of supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation during this time, as breast cancer remains the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, claiming the lives of nine people each day.

“The aim of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to shine a light on the devastating impact breast cancer has on thousands of Australians each day,” Ms MacDonald said.

“The statistics are alarming. Every year more than 21,000 people in Australia, including around 200 men, will be diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.

“It saddens me that every year more than 3,300 people in Australia, including 33 men, will die from breast cancer.”

Ms. MacDonald encouraged everyone to undergo screenings, as early detection significantly improves the chances of successful treatment for breast cancer confined to the breast.

“If you experience any symptoms such as lumps, dimples, discharge or discolouration, head to your doctor for further examination,” she said.

For further information Ms MacDonald said visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation website.

headspace music program hits right note for mental health

It is Mental Health Month and headspace Lismore and Tweed teams are emphasising the importance of seeking support, saying it may look different to what people think.

headspace Senior Manager, Sim Balzer, says nowadays mental health support can take many varied forms.

“It can be creative, or active; in groups with peers, or it can be one-on-one and from the comfort of your bedroom. The great thing is, we can connect young people with the support style that works for them,” Balzer said.

Wednesday 9 October is National headspace Day and this year’s theme, “Pause. Reflect. Reconnect.”, encourages young people to find balance amidst life’s challenges by reconnecting to things that bring them joy. If that thing is music or filmmaking, then headspace Lismore have some programs for you.

Level 3 Music Studio

The Level 3 Music Studio is delivered by headspace Group Facilitator, Vincent McManus, better known as Vinnie. Passionate about the therapeutic benefits of music, Vinnie supports more than 30 young people a year through his music studio.

“Music not only allows young people to engage in creative expression, but it also helps them to define who they are and their place in the world and can bring about a wonderful sense of confidence and achievement”, Vinnie said.

“I believe the creative process is a powerful therapeutic avenue for young people to explore. And if some young artists want to find a pathway into the music industry, I can help them along their way,” Vinnie said.

Vinnie has assisted young musicians to enter national songwriting competitions, find paid performing gigs and record their music, as well as helping young actors with showreels and understanding what it takes to work in the film industry through his other group, the filmmakers Media Hub.

To connect with these groups young people first sign up to headspace support and meet with a member of our intake and access team.

“Often what’s been happening is, people find out about Music Studio and how awesome it is, and then sign up to headspace so they can access it,” Vinnie said. “Before signing up many don’t realise they get access to a counsellor completely free. And they may not have considered doing those sessions before. It is this wrap around support that can be so effective.”

“When you pull off a good song with someone who was feeling quite broken, and you create something so beautiful… it is wonderful. You watch them grow this confidence in themselves,” Vinnie said.

Local Lismore singer songwriter Mia French has been part of the Level 3 Music Program and supported by headspace for several years and says it is helpful to find someone to talk to and who listens and understands.

“And then I found out there was a music studio program which was crazy! And just perfect for me,” Mia said.

“I was able to record and produce my own original songs in a professional little studio, which was an amazing opportunity and something I had never had the chance to do before.

“I got to collaborate with other musicians, make new friends and even perform live gigs.

“I can honestly say that the support from the people and programs at headspace have really helped me find a stronger sense of what I can actually achieve,” Mia said.

Vincent ‘Vinnie’ McManus

Film, art and fresh fruits groups

If music isn’t your thing, there are other activities and groups to access including arts, games, Fresh Fruits LGBTIQSB+ group and of course, the film group, Media Hub.

“With the Media Hub, what I love seeing is the peer support,” Vinnie says. “When someone comes in and they’re talking about their stuff and someone else in the group says, ‘you know, I’ve been there, you should try this…this is what I’ve done’.

“There’s an incredible sharing of real information, and I love that. It is group members saying, “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

Youth mental health from the view of a young person

Sam Baynham is a member of headspace Lismore’s Young Peoples’ Advisory Committee (YPAC) and says there are still multiple barriers to young people seeking support for their mental health including transport access issues, stigmatisation, and cost of living pressures.

“The constant comparison where you are told there are people who are worse off – it’s a barrier to seeking support, it invalidates your experience. That stops a lot of people from seeking help, they think ‘there are people who need it more than me’, or ‘my issues aren’t enough,’” Sam said. “The cost of everything is a barrier also. Even just getting into a GP to get a care plan made up is difficult.”

When asked about some of the key challenges facing young people Sam said the impacts of the pandemic and flood are still lingering.

“They are still having a big ripple effect on young people’s mental health, and I think this will be around for quite a long time yet.”

“Definitely over the past couple of years the main challenges have been cost of living, cost of housing, food security and climate change – the worry is a big weight. Especially after Covid and the floods – at some point it all intertwines with one another.”

“I think social media is a big issue also, especially stuff like Snapchat and TikTok. Cos’ you know, people just post little snippets of the good parts of their lives. And there’s a lot of comparing that goes on in social media. A lot of it is false stuff, it can be damaging.”

“There’s no escape from social media. And if bullying is happening over Snapchat, it disappears, there is no trace of it.”

Sam’s message to other young people is to connect in to support at any time.

“Even when things aren’t going on, it’s ok to have those conversations at any time. You don’t have to be in a bad space to seek out support.”

Anytime is the right time for support

headspace Senior Manager Sim Balzer says it is encouraging to see young people accessing various forms of support at headspace Lismore, whether it’s counselling, seeing a GP or clinic nurse, attending groups, or producing film or music.

“This integrated, multi-faceted approach to care places the young person’s interests and strengths at the heart of the support, which is what makes it so effective.”

She also wants to stress that anytime is the right time to seek support.

“There are pointy bits to life, that’s for sure. But you don’t need to wait until things get worse. There is no judgment on whether your problem is too big or too small – we’re here for anyone who needs to chat,” Sim said. “Don’t be afraid to walk through the door.”

headspace, Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, provides early intervention mental health services to 12–25-year-olds.