SWSPHN is helping newly arrived women access cervical and breast screening through culturally safe community workshops and screening days.
Funded by Cancer Institute NSW, the project brings together SWSPHN, Family Planning Australia, BreastScreen and Settlement Services International to improve screening awareness and access among culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Workshops held in July and September supported Arabic, Dari and Farsi-speaking women to learn about screening, ask questions and book appointments in a welcoming, women-only environment, with support from bilingual educators.
So far, the cervical and breast screening project has achieved:
- 48 women attending workshops
- 20 women completing cervical screening
- 18 women completing breast screening
- 17 women completing both screenings
The project highlights the importance of community partnerships in overcoming barriers to preventive health care and supporting women to make informed health decisions.
Two additional language groups will be supported before June 2027.