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Hawke’s Bay wāhine who have lost family members to
cancer are urging others to get checked – because it could
save a life of a loved one.
Patricia Anne Neera, lost
her sister to breast cancer when she was just 52 and 10
years later she still misses her dearly every
day.
“She was my best friend.”
Ms Neera
acknowledges she took some convincing to get her own breasts
checked, but she did, and then she took her sister along to
get checked – that’s when they discovered
cancer.
Her sister underwent chemo and passed away
about a year after the diagnosis.
Ms Neera says if her
sister had got herself checked sooner, they could’ve
caught the cancer sooner and her chances of beating it would
have been better.
Vicki Aranui has a similar story.
She lost her mum to cervical cancer, aged just
56.
“My mum never had a smear and she didn’t go to
the doctor until she was in pain. That’s when they
discovered she had cervical cancer.”
She too
underwent chemo but died within six months.
Ms Aranui
says she feels sad that her youngest children are growing up
without their nan around.
Both wāhine are urging
others to get checked for breast and cervical cancer at the
free clinic in Flaxmere.
“Get your breasts checked,
no matter what, Ms Neera says.
“Don’t be afraid,
don’t be whakamā, just go out and get it
done.”
Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay
Population Screening Team Leader Annette Davis says 80
percent of wāhine who have cervical cancer are either
unscreened or have not had a cervical smear for five years
or more.
“With regular cervical screening any
changes on the cervix can be detected and treated before
they become cancers.
“Regular mammograms can save
lives by finding breast cancer early. A mammogram can detect
a lump as small as two millimetres which a woman wouldn’t
be able to feel by doing a self-check,” Mrs Davis
says
“Although uncomfortable and for some,
embarrassing, these health checks are absolutely essential
and could save your life.”
The Breast Screening
Aotearoa mobile van is in Flaxmere until Friday 23 September
along with a separate van for cervical screening.
Mrs
Davis says wāhine due for either their mammogram or
cervical smear or both can come down to Flaxmere, outside
the Cook Islands Community Centre to get these essential
health checks done.
Free Flu, Covid-19 and MMR
vaccinations are also available for those who are
eligible.
Walk-ins are
welcome or you can book by calling 0800 729
729.
For a full list of hours and eligibility
please see:
For
further information see: https://www.timetoscreen.nz/
Watch
Patricia Anne Neera urge others to get screened
here:
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/749406646
© Scoop Media
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