Third time lucky for Pink Caravan
First it was stopped by an earthquake, then a cyclone, but this time the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ hopes its Pink Caravan will make it to Levin and Palmerston North.
Breastcare nurses Trish Sole and Gillian Mockford will welcome visitors to the caravan outside New World, Levin, on Thursday 19th and Highbury shopping centre, Palmerston North, on Friday 20th from 9am-4pm.
“We’re looking forward to hosting anyone who wants to know more about breast health,” says Gillian. “We have lots of information that people can take away with them and hand out to whanau and friends, too.”
One of the caravan’s attractions is Bessie, the Breast Cancer Foundation’s life-like torso that featured recently on Seven Sharp. Bessie shows visible signs of breast cancer, and also harbours lumps that can only be found by using correct self-checking technique – which the nurses can teach. “Women are often surprised to learn what a lump actually feels like,” says Trish. “As in real life, they can be a bit tricky to find. Come along and see for yourself!”
Around 120 people in the Mid-Central DHB area are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and around 20 die of breast cancer each year. With breast cancer the most common cancer for New Zealand women – eight women a day are diagnosed, and one in nine women will be diagnosed in their lifetime – almost everyone knows someone affected by breast cancer. Research shows that the earlier it is detected, the better the outcome, so BCFNZ is reminding all women to be breast aware from age 20.
Men can get breast cancer, too - about 25 are diagnosed each year in New Zealand.
The Pink Caravan is travelling the North Island with the aim of reaching Kiwis in their community, engaging with them about breast health, general health and lifestyle factors, and giving information on the signs to watch for, family risk and the importance of mammograms.