Michelle's story
A routine breast screening reminder inspired Michelle to extend an invitation of her own. After discovering several women in her craft group were overdue for screening, she organised a group appointment and lunch, turning an important health check into a day out with friends.
When I received a reminder that I was due for my breast screen, I mentioned it during a catch-up with my craft group. As we talked about it, I discovered that some of the women hadn't had a breast screen for more than three years. A few didn't think it was something they needed to worry about right away, but I felt it was important to have the conversation.
I've always believed that looking after our health should be a priority, and I know how important early detection can be. So instead of simply booking my own appointment, I suggested that we make a day of it together.
We organised carpooling, booked our appointments in Taree and planned lunch afterwards at the local Club. I also shared the idea on our local Facebook page, and before long we had a group of women ready to go.
What started as a breast screen appointment quickly became something much more enjoyable. Rather than focusing on the appointment itself, we spent the day laughing, chatting and enjoying each other's company. Having friends there made the experience feel easier and much less daunting. The breast screen almost became secondary to the opportunity to spend time together and support one another.
Many of us moved into our over-55s community around two years ago. While it's a relatively small community, we've built strong friendships through our shared interests and activities at the leisure club. Those connections have become incredibly important, and they were a big part of why the day was such a success.
For me, having friends alongside me removed a lot of the anxiety that can sometimes come with getting a breast screen. I think booking together also reminded all of us of the importance of breast screening and encouraged everyone to make it a priority.
My commitment to regular breast screening is also shaped by the experience of a friend whose first breast screen at age 50 detected breast cancer. Thankfully, it was found early and she was able to recover following treatment. Seeing firsthand how important early detection can be reinforced for me why attending regular breast screens matters.
If I could say one thing to women who are overdue for their breast screen, it would be this: don't put it off. Talk to your friends about it. Make a plan together. Turn it into a morning out or a catch-up over lunch. Having someone beside you can make all the difference.
A great part of our story is that everyone in our group received good results. We celebrated with lunch afterwards and agreed that we'd make this our new tradition, booking our breast screens together every two years.
What has surprised me most is what happened after our day out. Other women in our community saw my Facebook post and have already expressed interest in joining us for our next group breast screen. Some other friends are travelling to Forster for their appointments and are now looking at organising similar arrangements there too.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is encouraging women to "Be a friend. Tell a friend", and sometimes all it takes is a simple conversation to encourage someone to book their breast screen. Seeing that conversation create a ripple effect throughout our community has been incredibly powerful. Our group is proof that a little encouragement from friends can go a long way.
