6 August, 2024
Deniliquin LALC has played a pivotal role in increasing breast screening amongst Aboriginal women in the Edward River region. They have been so successful the screening rate is now the highest in the state!
What an achievement for DLALC, and it was recently honoured at the Murrumbidgee Local Health District Excellence Awards, with the Exceptional Aboriginal Health Care Award.
DLALC CEO Rose Dunn and staff members Lenore Jones, Karen Mobourne and Lorraine Parsons led the charge ensuring local knowledge on the ground was used.
“For BreastScreen Greater Southern (BSGS) to use Aboriginal partner organisations, like Deni LALC, to liaise with mob is a real game changer,’’ Rose said. “It means we could use our local Community knowledge to have a cuppa and yarn about the importance of screening, then to book women in and be across any additional needs like transport or how women wanted to receive regular reminders.
“We found some patients were overdue, due or some had never even been screened. We also could tailor support appropriately – some women may need a lift to and from screenings; others may need more support or more frequent reminders,’’ Rose said.
“It was a lot better outcome than getting an invitation or reminder in the mail.’’
Partnering with BSGS, Murrumbidgee Local Health District and Support the Girls to run the project, the Deniliquin team was the catalyst for the Edward River Council having the highest percentage of breast screening participation for Aboriginal women across all NSW local government areas.
“I am really proud of the Deni LALC staff and the board has been so supportive. It’s just one example of all the hard and dedicated work we do for our mob,’’ Rose said.
All photos courtesy Murrumbidgee Local Health District
The approach is also being used in Albury with the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service being involved.
In accepting the award, BreastScreen NSW health promotion officer Heather Hilliam said it was a great honour to be recognised.
“It’s a sad fact that Aboriginal women are more likely to die from breast cancer than other women in our community and that’s in part because they’re less likely to screen,” she said.
“So Aboriginal women are less likely to find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and survival rates are higher.
“That is something we can change and I am very proud to be part of a large team that has found a way.”
Women who underwent screenings were also gifted a professional bra fitting and several new bras, provided by Support the Girls, a charity that provides practical products, care, compassion and dignity to vulnerable, disadvantaged and isolated women, and is proud to be helping BSGS to save lives.
