BreastScreen Victoria is proud to partner with the Department of Health & Human Services for the Victorian Seniors Festival 2016, actively encouraging health and community participation while supporting seniors' needs.
Starting with Celebration Day at Melbourne’s Federation Square on Sunday October 2, the 34th Victorian Seniors Festival runs through to Sunday October 9. The activities coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, running throughout October.
“I’m very much looking forward to having BreastScreen Victoria participate in this year’s Festival,” said BreastScreen Victoria CEO, Vicki Pridmore. “Community events are a great way to engage and connect, raise breast awareness, along with allowing us to provide information and support to women and their loved ones.”
BreastScreen Victoria will be hard to miss at Celebration Day with the bright pink Mobile Screening Service van, named ‘Marjorie’ after Dr Marjorie Dalgarno, a pioneering radiologist who performed the first mammogram in Australia in the early 1950s, in attendance. Statewide Radiographer, Monique Warrillow will be on hand at the van throughout the day on Sunday to do a limited number of breast screens as well as provide education about the service.
“The Mobile Screening Service is a familiar sight to many women from rural and regional Victoria,” said Monique. “Having the van on location at Celebration Day gives women a great opportunity to see our high quality operation up close.”
The week’s celebrations continue at the RDNS Melbourne Festival Hub, Melbourne Town Hall, with concerts, displays, cultural and information sessions running from 10:00am to 4:30pm Monday October 3 to Friday October 7. BreastScreen Victoria will be taking appointments on Monday and Tuesday at our stand for our clinics while having staff available to answer questions regarding breast screening and its importance as women get older.
Then, on Thursday October 6 from 2:15pm BreastScreen Victoria will be holding a free seminar at the Town Hall’s Yarra Room, on breast cancer and your family history. Growing older is the biggest risk factor in getting breast cancer however, a family history of breast and ovarian cancer is also an important risk factor. This session aims to inform on what factors can put you and your family at a higher risk. No bookings are required for the 30-minute session.
“Our staff are often asked about family history risk and then what information will be important for women’s own family members,” explained Ms Pridmore. “We hope this talk sheds some light on what can be an overwhelming situation.”
Where to find us:
Celebration Day, October 2 – The River Terrace, between Swanston Street and Birrarung Marr.
RDNS Melbourne Festival Hub, October 3, 4 & 6 – Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston Street.
For more information about events and activities, visit www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au or pick up a free Victorian Seniors Festival program at any Coles store, local library, council office or neighbourhood house. You can also call 1300 135 090 to have a program sent directly to you.
Media contact: Jane Aubrey, Communications Manager, (03) 9660 6838 or 0412 744 138.
