THE Ararat Breast Cancer Support Group is hosting its 'Pink Petal' morning tea to raise funds for cancer treatment.
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The funds will go towards the eighth and final chemotherapy treatment chair for the East Grampians Health Service's Oncology Unit.
Taking place on Monday October 28 at 10am at the Ararat Bowling Club, the morning tea is a major event for the group.
All community members are welcome to come along, enjoy morning tea and listen to guest speaker director of community services Sally Phillip talk about My Aged Care.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with one in seven diagnosed before the age of 85, and will account for approximately 29 per cent of all new cancers in Australian women in 2019.
In 2019, it is estimated that 19,371 women and 164 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Australia has one of the best breast cancer survival rates in the world. The chance of surviving at least five years (five-year relative survival) has increased from 74 per cent in 1986-1990 to 90.8 per cent in 2011-2015.
This increase in survival is due to earlier diagnosis through screening and improved treatments.
The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age.
Approximately 79 per cent of new cases of breast cancer are in women over the age of 50, while the average age of first diagnoses of breast cancer in women is 61.
East Grampians Health Service Breastcare Nurse Sarah Carter said women can help themselves by having a free mammogram at BreastScreen, but it is also important for women to know the normal look and feel of their own breasts so they can detect early changes themselves and then visit their GP.
"There is a Breastscreen service in both Ballarat and Horsham, offering free two yearly mammograms to women aged 40 and over without symptoms," Ms Carter said.
"There is no upper age limit, however, the target age group is 50-74 years as 50 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are in this age range."
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