Page 4762 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 October 2010
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department, I understand that this service provides mammography, breast ultrasound and biopsy, and breast MRI to women who are symptomatic, high risk or receiving post-surgery follow-up. These women previously had to access these services from a private provider, which, of course, is often costly.
Once again I congratulate ACT Health and the government on their fantastic services that are provided to combat this terrible disease. I thank all the staff who work either in direct service delivery or care behind the scenes in providing screening or working with women undergoing treatment.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October and the Pink Ribbon Day on 25 October is an important opportunity to promote self-examination and screening. It is also a time to recognise and thank all those in the non-government sector who provide support services for those who have been diagnosed, such as Bosom Buddies, the wig service, Dragons Abreast and also groups such as the ACT Eden-Monaro Cancer Support Group.
This is a time we can recognise and join with those who are raising important funds for research by attending breakfasts or taking part in other fundraising activities such as the Pink Ribbon Motorcycle Ride. I would particularly like to thank the numerous volunteers, who are often survivors of breast cancer themselves, who work tirelessly to raise much-needed funds for research or in providing important practical and emotional support to women and their families.
I also recognise there are many women living with and undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and these women and their families face numerous issues in relation to living with cancer on a daily basis, not just during one month of the year. This is why it is so important that the ACT government has taken the measures that it has taken. I urge all members in the Assembly to support this important initiative.
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (4.28): I would like to firstly thank Ms Porter for bringing this important motion forward today and thank her for her words. It is important to indicate that the opposition will be supporting this motion. Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which we are in at the moment, is an important tool for exposing and promoting the importance of breast cancer detection, prevention and treatment in the community. It is an international annual event that aims to increase the awareness of the disease and raise crucial funds for research.
Breast cancer is indiscriminate. There is no reason why our mothers, our sisters, our daughters or our aunts may be struck by this cancer. Whilst vital research has brought us valuable information on risk factors and preventative measures, we still cannot predict who may be the victim of breast cancer and when.
One in nine Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85. The incidence of breast cancer has risen by 20 per cent in the last 10 years and mortality rates have remained largely unchanged. Traditionally we have thought of breast cancer as being an affliction of older women, but there is a growing awareness that breast cancer also affects younger women—struck in their prime, raising young families, travelling the world or climbing the corporate ladder. Approximately 25 per cent of breast cancer diagnosis is for those less than 50 years of age.
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