This October, the Hervey Bay Cancer Centre has been shining a spotlight on breast health with a colourful breast awareness display in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, set up by McGrath Breast Care Nurse Megan Lynch.
The display features a lovely arbour that draws people in, showcasing important information about breast health. As Megan put it, “The design is pretty and eye-catching but also informative.” Visitors can find tips on performing breast self-examinations, captured in the memorable phrase, “if you grow them, you should know them.” There’s also guidance on changes to look out for that might signal health concerns.
Megan’s main goal with this display was to encourage everyone to be proactive about their breast health. “The main goal is to promote awareness of the importance of regular self breast examination… and the benefit of finding breast cancer early,” she explained.
Megan highlighted how vital early detection can be, noting, “Mammograms are free for women from 40 and are recommended every two years.” The display provides helpful details, including the number to call for scheduling a mammogram—13 20 50—and information about local services, like the purpose-built facility at Madsen Place in Urraween and a BreastScreen bus in Maryborough.
Megan also shared some eye-opening statistics, “From the time we wake until we go to bed at night, 58 women in Australia will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
“That’s over 20,000 women a year, as well as over 200 men. Breast is cancer the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, and unfortunately the numbers are on the rise. “If we live to be 85, 1 in 7 of us will be diagnosed,” she noted, underlining the importance of staying informed and proactive.
Megan said she had received fantastic feedback about the display, with many patients and staff commenting on how colourful and educational it is. Megan also gave a shout-out to Lani Hume, acting Clinical Nurse in the oncology day unit, who organised a bake sale that raised over $100 for pamper packs for breast cancer patients.