5 September 2016

Fun-filled days that might just save a life

More than 40 women from throughout Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti turned out for a free smear or breast check at Kenepuru Hospital this weekend – not to mention a day of family-friendly fun, music, food and giveaways.

September is Cervical Screening Awareness Month. On Saturday, CCDHB and Regional Screening Services (RSS) – with Compass Health, Maraeroa Marae Health Clinic, and Pacific Health Service Porirua – held Porirua’s first Wahine Ora combined breast and cervical screening day.

“Breast and cervical screening are vital aspects of every woman’s health, and we have a diabetes nurse on hand to provide information and education,” said CCDHB chief operating officer Chris Lowry.

“We try to make it as easy as possible for women in our communities to come along to Kenepuru Hospital for these screening days. We provide transport and carseats so people can get here, and make the days family-friendly and fun so whanau can come along too.

“We don’t want anything to stand in the way of women coming down to get these potentially life-saving tests.”

Appointments are now open for Kenepuru Hospital’s next free screening day, on 1 October to coincide with Breast Screening awareness Month. The day is open to all eligible women, with a particular focus on those who haven’t been screened or are overdue – in some cases, by many years.

“We especially focus on Māori and Pacific women aged 45 to 69 – as they have lower breast screening rates than other women – and Māori, Pacific and Asian women aged 20 to 69,” said RSS regional coordinator Robyn Fox.

“We also want to see any other women who have either never had a breast or cervical screening before, or who are five years or more overdue.

“Given the number of people who came along this weekend, we’re expecting the next screening day to be equally – if not more – well attended. We encourage women to make an appointment for the day as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out.”

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