Tesch criticises suspension of Breastscreen services

Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has criticised the suspension of BreastScreen services throughout the State, with staff being redeployed to assist with the pandemic response.

"The BreastScreen bus which visits the Woy Woy Peninsula every year will no longer be available."

Ms Tesch said there were grave fears that breast cancer would go unnoticed with "huge implications for the wellbeing of women".

She said cancelling the service was not the answer.

"The fact that so many detections are found through this initiative goes to show that suspending it is certainly not the answer to our issues.

"It is so important for women to be checked regularly so lumps can be detected early and we can get on top of the cancer quickly.

"Without this prompt response, the outcome for the individual and their family could be so different.

"Putting all other health issues with grave consequences on the back burner is an injustice to all of us.

"Covid-19 is absolutely crucial to be on top of, just like breast cancer."

"Breast cancer is an illness very close to my heart.

"If a situation like this happened to my mother, our experience and our sunset time with her would have been so different."

SOURCE:

Media release, 23 Aug 2021

Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford