Consumer engagement at the heart of BSV
There is nothing we value more at BreastScreen Victoria than hearing the insights and experiences from our clients. So much so, that we have embedded consumer engagement in every level of our organisation, allowing us to bring the consumer voice to where decisions are made. This ensures that clients and consumers are actively engaged in the development and design of new programs to enhance our service.
We have a long history of consumer engagement, with a state Consumer Advisory Committee formed in 1996, along with regional Consumer Reference Groups. In 2025, consumer engagement allows us to work in partnership with consumers to hear the voices of the communities they represent. Our framework is made up of a Consumer Network, a Consumer Advisory Group, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group and we’re currently working on instating a Disability Advisory Group.
Our Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) is a diverse group of people that ensures consumer engagement is a business-as-usual part of our program. It provides advice to our Executive team on strategy, policies and service delivery, as well as research issues that impact the client experience. This group is vital in providing an opportunity for the diverse views, cultures and experiences of its members to be considered in our decision-making process.
One of our CAG members is Namrita Kadalbajoo, who has been involved in BSV Consumer Advisory group activities since 2021. Namrita has been very generous with her time and has provided invaluable insights to 2 strategic projects.
“When I first received my breast screen invitation letter when I turned 50, I ignored it for at least a year. I have no family history of breast cancer, I live a very healthy life, eat healthy, never smoked never drank—it wasn’t until my sister had a cancer scare that I had my first breast screen,” Namrita explains when asked about her experience with our program. “They found something on my mammogram that needed further investigation. After another mammogram and a biopsy, it turned out to be a very high-grade tumour. It was still small, but really nasty and it could have done a lot of damage. Thanks to BreastScreen Victoria, it was found in time and after surgery, chemo and radiation, I have been in remission since 2021. We are very lucky in this country to have access to these cancer screening programs; BreastScreen Victoria saved my life.”
In the screening period of 2022-2023, our program detected 2,056 breast cancers. Breast screening is still the best way to find breast cancer early, when it’s too small to feel. Finding breast cancer early ensures the best chance of a positive health outcome. Namrita continues: “When I was done with my treatment, I saw an ad on Facebook that BreastScreen Victoria was looking for members to join their Consumer Advisory Group. I did my research and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to represent something, I strongly believe that BreastScreen Victoria has saved many lives; I am one of them. I am very lucky to be part of the CAG because it’s such a fantastic network of people. We share our experiences and our points of view. It really surprises me how seriously BreastScreen Victoria takes even small points. Being a member has showed me how much work and consideration goes into everything that they do.”
Our program is available to all women and trans and gender diverse people in Victoria, aged 50 to 74, without breast symptoms. Some communities, like people from multicultural backgrounds, people with disability, people from LGBTIQA+ communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are known to screen at a much lower rate than the general population. The reason for that is that these communities experience extra barriers to participating in our program; be it a language barrier, a cultural barrier or a physical barrier. It is people like Namrita and her fellow CAG members that offer us invaluable insights that help us provide more equitable access to our program.
Namrita says: “If I hadn’t received all those reminder letters from BreastScreen Victoria, I wouldn’t have found my cancer in time. There will be so many people like me, who’s cancers would go unnoticed until it was too late if it wasn’t for BreastScreen Victoria. That’s why I joined the CAG, to share my experiences and help give an insight into the diverse backgrounds of the people we have in this country.”
Has Namrita’s story inspired you to join the CAG? We are currently looking for new members. Fill out this Expression of Interest and we will get in touch!