‘Petal’ tea raising money for chair

Ararat Breast Cancer Support Group will host its ‘Pink Petal’ morning tea at Ararat Bowling Club on Monday as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The morning tea, a major event for the group and fundraiser for an eighth and final chemotherapy treatment chair for East Grampians Health Service’s Oncology Unit, will be at 10am.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, providing an opportunity for people to show support for women and families personally affected by the disease.

Pink Petal organisers have invited the community to attend the event, where East Grampians Health Service community services director Sally Phillip will be guest speaker. Ms Phillip will talk about ‘My Aged Care’.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with one in seven diagnosed before the age of 85.

In 2019 it will make up about 29 percent of all new cancers in Australian women.

Australia has one of the best breast-cancer survival rates in the world.

The chance of surviving at least five years after diagnosis increased from 74 percent in 1986-1990 to 90.8 percent in 2011-2015.

Authorities put the increase in survival down to earlier diagnosis through screening and improved treatments.

The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age. About 79 percent of new cases of breast cancer are in women over 50, while the average age of first diagnoses of breast cancer in women is 61.

East Grampians Health Service Breastcare nurse Sarah Carter said women could help themselves by having a free mammogram at Breastscreen. But she added it was also important for women to know the normal look and feel of their own breasts so they could detect early changes and then visit their GP.

“There is a Breastscreen service in Horsham and Ballarat, offering free, two-yearly mammograms to women aged 40 and over without symptoms,” she said.

“There is no upper age limit, however, the target age group is 50-74 years as 50 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are in this age range.

“It is advisable if you do have any concerning symptoms that you see your GP straight away.

“In seeking early detection and diagnosis this gives you the best possible chance of a successful outcome.”

Mrs Carter said a Breastscreen Bus visits Ballarat from Ararat ‘a couple of times a year’ depending on numbers.

“The next bus will be in early December and anyone interested can call EGHS Community Health Centre on 5352 9327,” she said.

Workshop

East Grampians Health Service will also host the next ‘Look Good…feel Better’ workshop on November 19.

“This free workshop runs a couple of times a year and is for any woman recently diagnosed with cancer, undergoing or about to undergo chemotherapy and-or radiotherapy treatment for cancer,” Mrs Carter said.

“Experienced volunteers from the cosmetic and beauty industry are available to show women how to care for their skin and apply make-up to minimise the appearance-related side effects of treatment.”