message out – and some stunning visuals – from FARZANA AHMAD reports

started out with a modest aim of increasing breast screening in these communities by 5% in the two years that it was funded for. However, the results achieved by Pink Sari Project were phenomenal. The screening rate shot up to 17% in the first two years. When the funding ceased in 2016 the program was formally handed over to the women who had been actively involved in it. Pink Sari Incorporated is now a community-owned, notfor-profit association run by a dedicated team of six volunteers. According to the figures released by Cancer Institute NSW for 2017, the rate of screening through Breast Screen NSW by women speaking Indian languages has increased by another 14%.

Shanta explained that in the absence of funding, the association works strategically to raise awareness by utilizing the resources available. “We conduct information sessions in partnership with other organisations and are always on the lookout for innovative and creative avenues to promote the Pink Sari message of early detection and the importance of screening amongst women in the target age group of 50-74.”

“Having achieved such success with breast cancer,” Shanta revealed, “in 2019 the association is planning to broaden the scope by including awareness of bowel cancer to Pink Sari. The program will focus on both men and women as the rate of screening in the community remains very low for this cancer.”

Pink Sari is working with the Cancer Institute to launch the bowel cancer initiative in March. It is already being promoted in community groups like AHIA and RAINS with information sessions lined up for February. Shanta explained that the association will be liaising with GPs to promote and encourage bowel cancer screening amongst the Indian/ Sri Lankan communities. The association will also be conducting pre and post bowel screening workshop evaluation surveys to get a better idea of the knowledge of the community before and after attending the workshop and how likely they were to get screened after attending.

Shanta assured that breast cancer awareness will not take a back seat with the launch of Pink Sari’s new bowel cancer awareness campaign. Instead the two initiatives will run side by side for greater community benefit. She concluded that the vital message of both programs is to make the Indian/ Sri Lankan community understand the importance of early detection. Breast screening mammograms and bowel cancer screening tests take only a few minutes. Ring Breast Screen NSW on 132050 to book an appointment and speak to your GP for bowel cancer screening.

To volunteer, support or be involved with Pink Sari Incorporated like their Facebook page to receive news, updates and posts regarding their activities.

Cricket fans that had their eyes peeled on the hallowed grounds of the G during the recent test match series, would have caught a glimpse of the colourful turban, neon bright safety vest and massive long distance lens sported by our photographer on ground RAVINDER SINGH JABBAL. Capturing action shots, sideline huddles, spectator joys and defining moments of the sport that is currently the nation’s grand obsession, Ravinder shares his experience of working within the inner sanctum of the most iconic sporting venue in the world.