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SOLITAIRE Race for life: The young patient is transferred from an ambulance to a helicopter at Lloyd Park for the trip to Royal Melbourne Hospital. Picture: Gary Sissons
Girl hit by garbage truck MAJOR Collision Investigation detectives are appealing for witnesses after a teenage girl was struck by a garbage truck in Langwarrin last Tuesday morning (16 February). They were told the 17-year-old was crossing the road at the intersection of Cranbourne-Frankston Rd and Long St when she was hit by the truck, 8.10am. She apparently waved at the truck to stop but it ran over her hip area. She then tried to sit up but collapsed. The Langwarrin teen was airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Staff reported her condition as “serious” on Wednesday. Leading Senior Constable Julie-Anne New-
man, of police media, last week said the 54-yearold truck driver, of Frankston, was in custody and assisting police with their inquiries. “This is a terrible incident. Our thoughts are with the young lady injured and her family,” Frankston mayor Cr James Dooley said. “We will conduct a thorough investigation into how this occurred and are assisting police with their investigation into this matter. “We have also offered the contractor access to council’s counselling services.” Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to call Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Indigenous women’s breast screening rates are ‘low’ PART of the Closing the Gap report, released last Wednesday by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, revealed an increase in Indigenous cancer mortality rates and a huge disparity in patient breast screening compared to non-Indigenous residents. This finding follows a “concerningly low” rate of presentation by Mornington Peninsula Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women compared to other groups in the same age cohort. Presentations by ATSI women at BreastScreen Victoria clinics at Frankston and Rosebud are well below the state average. The Frankston’s presentation rate is just 19 per cent of the target age group (50-74), while Rosebud’s is slightly better at 26 per cent. Yet, for nonIndigenous women, the Frankston presentation rate is 51 per cent and Rosebud 54 per cent. The state average is 54 per cent. Spokeswoman Jane Aubrey said BreastScreen Victoria works with Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association to engage the ATSI population, however, she said presentation numbers are still “concerningly low”. Presentations are held at the Rosebud clinic. The Closing the Gap report states that: “Between 2006 and 2013, there was a 10 per cent increase in cancer death rates for Indigenous patients and a 6 per cent decline for non-Indigenous Australians.” “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among indigenous women in Victoria,” Ms Aubrey said. “Working with key indigenous groups, particularly the regional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOS), has been crucial to gain an understanding of how best to engage with the communities. “Not only is breast cancer the most common cancer among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, but the mortality rate is also higher due to diagnosis at advanced stages – something BreastScreen Victoria is actively working to change.” Prime Minister Turnbull called for “hope and optimism rather than entrenched despair” in engaging with indigenous Australians and this is a sentiment shared by BreastScreen Victoria. Its CEO, Vicki Pridmore, said the testing “continues to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with participation rates improving through implementation of a con-
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STATISTICS showing a low uptake of breast screening is “a real concern for our people”, Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association president Peter Aldenhoven said. Willum Warrain is an Aboriginal Gathering Place at Hastings. “However, it is part of a bigger picture regarding poorer health outcomes for Aboriginal people generally.” Staffmembers believe they are ideally placed to support ATSI people on their journeys to better health and positive lifestyles. They advocate on behalf of the Mornington Peninsula Aboriginal community and run a range of health-related programs and initiatives. “It is well-known that Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders don’t engage with mainstream health delivery and services because of complex cultural and historical reasons,” Mr Aldenhoven said. “There is an increasing emphasis via the Koolin Balit strategy (the Victorian Government’s Aboriginal health strategy) on making services more culturally appropriate, engaging and effective.” He said “Soul Sistas” was a local example of ATSI women involved in culturally safe settings (such as Gathering Places), which focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Aboriginal women. They underwent breast-screening as part of a program run by the Bunurong Healthy Lifestyles team last year. sidered, culturally sensitive program which aims to make the screening process easier”. “It’s important to remember that early detection of breast cancer improves outcomes for women,” she said. “Three quarters of all women diagnosed are over 50 and one 10-minute appointment every two years could save your life.” See breastscreen.org.au or call 13 20 50. Stephen Taylor
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www.jaleighblinds.com.au Frankston Times 22 February 2016
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