The local community is invited to a Cancer Screening Information Night on Wednesday 18 February at the Mount Gambier Italo Australian Club, where guests will hear from Cancer Council SA and BreastScreen SA about bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening.
BreastScreen SA’s mobile screening unit is currently visiting Mount Gambier until 2 July 2026 to provide free screening mammograms for local women. As part of the collaboration to raise awareness about the importance of screening, more than 20 local migrant women will screen on the mobile unit over three group screening events.
Latest data from the Australian Institute for Health and Wellbeing (AIHW) shows that bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening rates in the Limestone Coast (which includes Mount Gambier) all fall below the state average.
Research also suggests that cancer screening rates amongst individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are lower when compared to the general population.
Cancer Council SA Prevention Programs Manager Diem Tran said Cancer Council SA is committed to ensuring that all South Australians have equitable access to health information.
“Participation in regular cancer screening gives you the best chance of detecting cancer early and ultimately, could save your life, which is why it’s so important that all eligible South Australians get screened,” Diem said.
“Often language can be a barrier for multicultural communities to accessing and participating in bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening and we hope to bridge that gap by providing resources in languages other than English and speaking with local multicultural communities to raise awareness of screening.”
As part of the initiative funded by Country SA PHN, Cancer Council SA has also partnered with two local general practices, Hawkins Medical and Village Medical Clinic, to enhance promotion of cervical and bowel screening. Through this collaboration, patients who are due or overdue for screening are being invited to complete their test.
Next week’s visit follows three cancer screening education sessions delivered earlier this month to almost 30 migrant women at the Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre. Participants heard from local Country Health Connect women’s health and breast care nurses, Cancer Council SA, and BreastScreen SA about the bowel, breast and cervical screening programs.
Mount Gambier Migrant Resource Centre Manager, Amanda Lindh said the partnership between Cancer Council SA, BreastScreen SA and Australian Migrant Resource Centre allows them to deliver culturally responsive health education that leads to real outcomes.
“Access to clear, culturally appropriate health information can be life-changing. For many migrant and refugee women, these sessions are the first time they’ve been able to ask questions, understand their screening options, and make informed decisions about their health,” Amanda said.
“When information is provided in language and in a safe environment, it empowers women to take control of their wellbeing and that has a lasting impact on families and communities.
“Early detection saves lives, but only if people understand how and why to access screening. Providing health education in language ensures migrant women aren’t left behind.”
Locals interested in attending Cancer Council SA’s Cancer Screening Information Night at the Mount Gambier Italo Australian Club on 18 February from 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm can register to attend for free here. Translated cancer screening resources will be available on the night in languages other than English.
Additional mammogram appointments are available for all women aged 40 and over while BreastScreen SA’s mobile screening unit is in Mount Gambier until 2 July 2026. To book, call 13 20 50 or go to www.breastscreen.sa.gov.au/book.
