Take the BreastScreen challenge
WIMMERA women are being encouraged to take advantage of free breast screening following the release of participation statistics for the electorate. In the Lowan electorate, 57.5 per cent of women are reported as having a regular breast screen every two years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This is slightly higher than the state participation rate of 52.3 per cent for women aged between 50 to 74, however, well below the state target of 70 per cent. I commend Wimmera women who make use of the BreastScreen Victoria program and encourage them to continue to prioritise their health. This free service can have a substantial impact on people’s lives and a short 10-minute appointment could be live-saving. The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is being a woman over 50 years of age, with one in eight Victorian women diagnosed with the disease.
Three-quarters of women diagnosed will be over the age of 50 and the vast majority will have no family history of the disease.
Having a breast screen is the best way of finding cancer early before any symptoms are noticed and when treatment is likely to be most successful. Finding cancer early saves lives and I urge more Wimmera women to make a breast screen appointment today. It is important for all women to know the normal look and feel of their breasts.
If you notice any breast changes, nipple discharge or a lump, it is important that you visit your doctor as soon as possible, before you make an appointment at BreastScreen Victoria. For more information or to book an appointment, people can call 132 050 or visit www.breastscreen.org.au
EMMA KEALY
Member for Lowan
Separate drinking from driving
THE Transport Accident Commission will be trackside at next week’s Great Western Cup to remind racegoers that the safest bet is to separate drinking from driving altogether. Planning a safe way home should be racegoers’ top priority if their race day plan involves drinking alcohol.
We want everyone at the Great Western Cup to have a great day out, but more importantly we want everyone to make good choices and arrive home safely to their loved ones. In the excitement of the race day, it can be hard for people to keep track of how much alcohol they’ve consumed so the safest way is to completely separate drinking from driving.
While it is legal to drive with a blood-alcohol level under .05, any level of alcohol in a person’s system impairs their judgment and their ability to drive safely.
Research shows drivers with a blood-alcohol level of .08 are five times more likely to have a crash than before they started drinking. At 0.12, their crash risk has increased tenfold.
We know everyone will be planning how they’ll spend race day and if that plan involves drinking, it needs to include a safe way home.
To help racegoers get to and from the track safely, free return courtesy buses will operate between Ararat, Stawell and Halls Gap. For timetables and to book, visit www.country.racing.com/great-western
Free camping is also available, for those who want to stay the night at the track before getting behind the wheel.
Commission staff will be set up at exit points and trackside providing free breath tests, tea, coffee, water and giving away Ticketek vouchers to those who have planned a safe way home.
Everyone has an important role to play in reducing the number of people being seriously injured and killed on our roads.
We all need to take responsibility for our actions and look out for each other on cup day and every other day if we want a future where no person dies or is seriously hurt on our roads.
SAMANTHA BUCKIS
TAC, Road Safety Manager