‘I acted early, I survived’
2007 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Women's Health Campaign
Continuing to bridge the cultural divide
On Thursday 29 March 2007, the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir will launch the National Breast Cancer Centre’s 2007 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Women’s Health Campaign in Sydney.
The first National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC)* culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) campaign was undertaken in 2005 to address gaps in breast awareness and information for women from multicultural backgrounds.
Three of NBCC’s key resources were translated into the 5 CALD languages most commonly spoken in Australia after English: Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Greek and Italian, and a culturally and linguistically appropriate breast awareness radio and print advertising campaign was developed, focus tested and implemented.
NBCC's 2007 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Women’s Health Campaign is a national initiative that will build on the success of the 2005 campaign to communicate potentially life-saving messages about breast and ovarian cancer.
These will be promoted directly to the heart of the multicultural community through a series of 5 culturally and linguistically appropriate information forums in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Vietnamese and Italian, and a print and radio CALD advertising campaign in the same languages with the theme – “I acted early, I survived”.
The forums will be held around Australia in high population CALD communities in the following cities within each State/Territory: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
Campaign objectives
The forums will provide information about breast and ovarian cancer, symptoms to look out for and the vital importance of early detection in a culturally and linguistically appropriate format to well women from the five CALD groups. The objectives are:
- to promote positive and empowering messages about breast awareness and early detection
- to promote understanding of the key issues in ovarian cancer and awareness of symptoms of the disease
- to address some of the cultural and linguistic barriers to awareness and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer
- to encourage a change in thinking and behaviour about the disease
- to encourage cultural ‘ownership’ of breast and ovarian awareness
in women from the five CALD backgrounds nationwide.
Forum format
The forums will be bi-lingual with an interpreter available. Translations of key forum materials and messages will be provided where appropriate.
The format for the forums will include an MC from the local CALD community, a National Breast Cancer Centre speaker, a breast cancer consumer and a local CALD health professional. A panel of experts will address questions from the audience after speeches.
| Location | Culture | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bankstown, Sydney NSW | Arabic/Lebanese | Saturday, 31 March 2007 |
| Perth, WA | Chinese | April 2007 |
| Melbourne, VIC | Greek | May 2007 |
| Brisbane, QLD | Italian | June 2007 |
| Adelaide, SA | Vietnamese | July 2007 |
NBCC gratefully acknowledges the kind assistance and support of the following organisations.
- Lebanese Community Council of NSW
- Chung Wah Association
- Australian Greek Welfare Society
- Co.As.It
- Vietnamese Women's Association
* In February 2008, National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) changed its name to National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC).