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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-10-18 Daily Xml
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:37): I move:

That this council—

1. Recognises that October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity for everyone to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our community and helps to raise awareness of the disease, educate about its symptoms and prevention and support fundraising activities;

2. Notes that the pink ribbon has become the universal symbol of breast cancer which aims to bring women together in solidarity by showing support for loved ones battling breast cancer and building an inclusive supportive network for families and friends;

3. Recognises that the flagship Pink Ribbon Breakfast Campaign for breast cancer celebrates its 21st anniversary this year, and that it is important to show appreciation to all amazing communities across Australia who, in the past 21 years, have taken part in the Pink Ribbon Breakfast events and come together to raise vital funds for breast cancer research;

4. Recognises that the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation funding world-class breast cancer research into causes, treatment and cure; and

5. Acknowledges that NBCF has invested over $200 million into more than 600 world-class research projects across Australia since its inception in 1994.

This motion recognises that October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It provides an opportunity for everyone to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our community. It helps to raise awareness of the disease, educate about its symptoms and prevention, and support any fundraising activities.

This motion shines a light on the devastating impact breast cancer has on thousands of Australians each day. Our thoughts and prayers go to those who are currently going through challenging times dealing with this horrible disease.

I want to share some of the alarming statistics about breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst women in Australia. Sadly, it has been found that 57 Australians are diagnosed each and every single day with this disease. This means over 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, with one in seven women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It is important to highlight that this disease impacts men as well. About one in 500 men are diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.

In 2023, over 3,200 Australians will pass away from breast cancer. That is nine Australians a day dying from the disease. Sadly, one woman under the age of 40 is expected to die each week from breast cancer. In 2022, breast cancer remained the second most common cause of death from cancer in females. In the last 10 years, breast cancer diagnosis has increased by 21 per cent. There are nearly a quarter of a million people living with breast cancer who were diagnosed in the last 36 years in Australia.

As these statistics show, breast cancer, which develops when cells within a breast grow abnormally and multiply to form a tumour, is a destructive force in today's society, not only for those who are unfortunately tormented with it but also for the families and friends who have to watch their loved ones suffer. Too many have lost their grandmothers, mothers, sisters and friends—people they loved dearly—through breast cancer.

Since the National Breast Cancer Foundation started funding research in 1994, the death rates from breast cancer in Australia have reduced by over 40 per cent, thanks in large to research in prevention, early detection and new and improved breast cancer treatments, but there is still much more progress to be made. Early detection of breast cancer gives the best possible chance of survival. The earlier an abnormality is discovered, the greater the number of effective treatment options available. This ensures the best possible outcome.

There are many ways breast cancer can be detected. This includes through clinical examination, mammograms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and biopsy. It is also important to undertake regular self-checks.

From my own experience, I am aware that many women, particularly women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, feel self-conscious, emotionally distressed or even shameful about sharing any personal health concerns or about diseases like breast cancer with their family and friends. Often these women will try to hide it to keep the bad news away from everyone they know for as long as they can.

By not talking about breast cancer, they isolate themselves from their loved ones, they keep themselves away from their community, they refuse to get out of the house, they refuse treatments, and they reject any forms of support because they have lost hope and lost the will to fight on. This is one of the reasons why I want to move this important motion today and encourage everyone to reach out to those affected.

Since the 1990s, ribbons have been used to represent many cancer patients. The pink ribbon has evolved from a humble peach ribbon handmade by Charlotte Haley in the United States of America to a powerful symbol of breast cancer awareness and support. The pink ribbon has become the universal symbol for breast cancer. Its aim is to bring women together in solidarity by showing support for loved ones battling breast cancer and building an inclusive supportive network for families and friends.

It is great to recognise that the flagship Pink Ribbon Breakfast campaign for breast cancer celebrates its 21st anniversary this year. It is so important to show our appreciation to all the amazing communities and individuals across Australia who in the past 21 years have taken part in Pink Ribbon Breakfast events to come together to raise vital funds for breast cancer research.

Pink Ribbon Breakfast is the National Breast Cancer Foundation's longest running signature campaign. The campaign runs throughout the month of October and invites everyday Australians to host an event to raise money for breast cancer research. The host runs all types of events, such as breakfasts, lunches and dinners. They are held across all the states by individuals, businesses and even schools and community groups.

As we recognise that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I had the great honour to sponsor and host my pink ribbon spring reception in Parliament House on 6 October 2023 by bringing together a group of wonderful women—business and community leaders—to raise awareness of breast cancer and raise funds to support the NBCF.

I place my sincere thanks to all my friends who joined me at my pink ribbon reception. It was wonderful to see such a diverse group of guests who turned up in their beautiful pink outfits and made generous donations to support a good cause. Every dollar makes a difference.

I would also like to highlight some very courageous women who are breast cancer survivors, and I will take this opportunity to highlight two champions in our community. Alison Warner is an inspirational force with a passion for making a difference, even in the face of cancer. She began stepping out with the Adelaide Hills Relay For Life in 2008 with the team 'The Desperate Housewives'. The relay event recognises those who are fighting cancer and remembers those who have lost their battle to the disease. To date, the team has raised an incredible $200,000 to support South Australians impacted by cancer.

Following a routine breast screen in 2014 with a diagnosis of breast cancer, just a month after her surgery to remove the tumour Alison stepped out with her local Relay For Life event, putting one foot in front of the other, not only for herself but for all the people in her life and for all South Australians who have been impacted by cancer, including her mum and sister, who were also diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Alison and thank her for her strength, her courage and her compassion in doing what she does.

The other champion I would like to mention today is Mary Tarzia. Mary is the mother of our Liberal colleague the Hon. Vincent Tarzia, and she was awarded an Order of Australia medal in recognition of her charity work. Mary began the Faith Hope Charity foundation in 2014 to help raise funds for breast cancer research after being a breast cancer survivor herself. Her goal was to build a house that women with breast cancer and their families could live in whilst receiving their treatment in Adelaide.

The annual black tie ball organised by Mary and the RAH Research Fund raises money to promote awareness of breast cancer and improve patient care for cancer sufferers and for breast cancer research. The ball has raised more than $104,000 for the RAH breast endocrine unit. Congratulations to Mary on her Order of Australia, and I also acknowledge her fantastic work raising funds for research.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the National Breast Cancer Foundation, being Australia's leading not-for-profit organisation funding world-class breast cancer research towards the vision of zero deaths from breast cancer. I would like to thank the National Breast Cancer Foundation board members, the CEO and all their staff for their incredible work and convey my best wishes to all the community members and individuals who are supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Pink Ribbon Breakfast campaign.

In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge that the National Breast Cancer Foundation has invested over $200 million into more than 600 world-class research projects across Australia since its inception in 1994. With those remarks, I would like to commend the motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.

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