Breast screens
essential
OVER recent years there has been a wide spread campaign to get women to participate in the BreastScreen program to help detect early stages of breast cancer.
But despite a strong and consistent message, only 58 per cent of eligible women in Western Victoria had a breast screen in 2018.
That means 42 per cent of eligible woman (aged 50 to 74) didn’t get screened!
BreastScreen Victoria statistics have revealed that over 1,500 women in Victoria might have breast cancer, but don’t know it because they haven’t had a breast screen.
The figures tell us that 32,972 women in Western Victoria didn’t have a breast screen in the two years to the end of June 2018.
I hope we see this number decrease as more women prioritise their health.
Regular breast screens are an essential component of women’s well-being over the age of 50, and I’m taking up the challenge to encourage more women in the community to have a free breast screen with BreastScreen Victoria.
I’m calling on women in regional Victoria to prioritise a breast screen every two years, along with other important routine health checks.
Appointments at BreastScreen Victoria can be made online at breastscreen.org.au or by calling 13 20 50.
Jaala Pulford MP,
Labor Member for Western Victoria.
Is there something we are missing?
I REFER to the letter by Keith Link (Gannawarra Times Friday, January 17) and can only shake my head in wonder.
What is going on?
Rejecting a $2.57 million offer from the government – is there something we are missing or have not been told?
I cannot believe that our council, or any council for that matter, would let such an opportunity with so many benefits to the shire pass by.
Is there anything we can do as a community to help the process?
I am writing a letter to the shire asking for answers.
I believe they have to reply, so I look forward to their explanation.
If you’re concerned maybe you could do the same.
Name withheld,
Cohuna.
Time to get attention
I THINK it’s appropriate at this time for me to express my concerns about the future of the area.
That’s why I’ve sent the following letter to Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW), which I want to share with the whole community:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for the friendly reminder (about my water bill).
I am 75 years old and have been a proud food producer for the best part of half a century.
This is the first time in my career that I have not been in a position to pay my bills in full and on time – I believe through no fault of my own and not due to drought but caused by the continued implementation of the ludicrous Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP).
We, the farmers in the Torrumbarry Irrigation Area, are feeling the brunt of water tradings consequences, a key parameter of the Water Act 2007.
Thus I have decided to prioritise how my bills are paid.
Local businesses will come first, placing you low on the list.
In the past when people failed to pay me for service or produce, it came to my attention rather rapidly.
I am hoping it comes to your attention but will probably be lost in your ever growing pile of bad debtors.
GMW’s inaction to protect its customer base and inability to denounce the MDBP implementation, along with inflexible tariffs based on historical use, not current use, will, inevitably, bankrupt irrigators and your own authority due to both requiring co-existence.
Russell Crichton.
