The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath has congratulated BreastScreen Gippsland in state parliament, paying tribute to employees and volunteers to mark the organisation’s 30 year anniversary.
BreastScreen Gippsland opened in 1994 and has been providing vital preventative health screening to local women ever since.
Ms Bath told parliament that in the past 12 months there have been over 17,000 screens conducted on women in Gippsland with 750 women called back for further assessment and 140 receiving a confirmed diagnosis.
“This amazing local service is saving lives of Gippsland women and is testament to the hard working team at the service.
“With clinics located in Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Sale, Wonthaggi and Warragul and a travelling bus service to reach smaller rural communities, BreastScreen Gippsland is a local success story and a great advertisement for early intervention saves lives.”
Ms Bath said participation in free preventative health screening is critical to improving health outcomes and supporting overall wellbeing for women.
“Studies show that women, particularly mothers tend to prioritise the health needs of their family over their own, often delaying medical appointments,” said Ms Bath.
“It’s important to encourage self-care and the prioritisation of free health screenings such as BreastScreen to promote better long term outcomes for women.
“I send my heartfelt congratulations to the BreastScreen Gippsland team led by Kelly Giersch and thank them for the important service they deliver to support women’s health.” To book a BreastScreen appointment telephone 13 20 50 or online at https://www.breastscreen.org.au
