Aucklanders will have the opportunity to visit Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s iconic Pink Caravan, ‘Pinkie’, for free breast health advice from this week.
For the ninth year running, Pinkie will spend the spring and summer months travelling around New Zealand with two specialist breast nurses on board with the aim of taking breast cancer awareness out to communities.
Pinkie will be at the following local sites between 9am-2.30pm each day:
Pak’nSave Botany on Wednesday, September 28
Pak’nSave Ormiston on Thursday, September 29
Howick Village Market Square on Friday, September 30
During 2020 and 2021 Pinkie made more than 160 stops around the country, where nurses addressed the questions and concerns of over 6000 people.
“We encourage people to come and chat to our friendly and knowledgeable nurses who can offer advice about how to lower your risk of breast cancer, what signs and symptoms to look out for and how to get enrolled for breast screening,” said Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s chief executive Ah-Leen Rayner.
“On board you’ll find lots of information and resources, including a silicon breast model, Bessie, showing what lumps and other symptoms look and feel like. Early detection is the best way to beat breast cancer, so the health education work that our nurses do saves lives.”
Breast cancer is the most common female cancer, with around 1000 women diagnosed in the Auckland region every year.
The good news is it’s most easily treated when detected early – the 10-year survival rate for women who are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer through screening is 95 per cent, compared to 85 per cent for women who are diagnosed from their symptoms.
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ encourages women to be breast aware from the age of 20 and to consider starting mammograms at 40.
Visit www.breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/pinkcaravan to learn more about the Pink Caravan.
