Raising awareness about breast cancer

Finding breast cancer early can save lives. That message was the inspiration for a panel discussion on October 24, organised by the Australian Jewish News, Jewish Care Victoria and the National Council of Jewish Women Victoria. The panel comprised St Vincent Hospital breast surgeon Dr Jocelyn Lippey, psychologist Lesley Stafford, and breast cancer warriors Sarah Singer and Rachel Ben-Atar, moderated by The AJN’s Editor-at-large Sharyn Kolieb. The event also launched plans for a cancer support group for women.

Opening the event at Jewish Care Windsor Rachel Ash said, “Every day in Australia, 58 people are diagnosed with breast cancer… Today is about listening… but tomorrow is about knowing, knowing that in our community, there is always someone you can call and somewhere you can go for support.”

National Council of Jewish Women Victoria President Anna Serry added, “Every conversation we start helps break down a little more silence and builds a stronger, more compassionate community for women at every stage of their cancer experience. No one should walk this journey alone, and the organisations who have come together today know the ripple effect when we support women.”

The AJN’s Sharyn Kolieb shared, “When I went through treatment for breast cancer, I really felt that as a community, we could be doing more to raise awareness, because early detection saves lives, as well as to support those who are going through it, as their lives are turned upside down… Thank you for being part of this discussion, and I hope together we can build community.”

During the panel discussion, Dr Lippey explained that Jewish people are more likely to carry BRCA gene mutation that can put them at greater risk of breast cancer and other cancers. She advised, “You should see either your GP or a breast specialist to do a personalised risk assessment to see whether it’s worthwhile getting a genetic test and then working out what breast test is best for you.”