Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer in the Disability Community
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time when communities unite to raise awareness, support those affected, and highlight the importance of regular screening. However, one key group that often goes unnoticed during this time is those with a disability. As we work to spread awareness, it’s essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, has access to the information, resources, and support they need.
That’s why Butter Fish Services has partnered with Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation to raise awareness for everyone, no matter their ability.
Inclusive Awareness
People with disabilities, who make up around 15% of the global population, often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing health care, including breast cancer screening and treatment. These challenges can range from physical barriers in accessing screening services, to communication challenges for those with sensory or intellectual disabilities, to a general lack of tailored resources for their specific needs. Breast cancer is already a daunting diagnosis, but for those with a disability, the journey can be even more challenging, isolating and difficult.
People living with disabilities may experience breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment differently. Physical disabilities might make self-exams or mammograms more challenging, while intellectual or developmental disabilities may create communication barriers between patients and healthcare providers. Additionally, sensory impairments can make it harder to access standard breast cancer information, which is often designed and targeted for people without a disability.
Butter Fish Services, and Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation
This October, Butter Fish Services will be wearing specially created jerseys in our offices to raise awareness for breast cancer in the disability community. In addition, we will be holding a Morning Tea on the 29th of October to raise money for HBCF. At this event, we will be auctioning off two Limited Edition jerseys to raise money. We aim for this to be a yearly collaboration, with new designs every year, and hopefully more money raised each time also!
For Meg
The reason behind our collaboration is simple – Meg Purser. As a former member of the Board of Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation, Meg played an important role in raising awareness in our community, and helping families in need with grassroots supports. Her dedication to this work is inspiring to us all.
Meg and Don worked together during Don’s time at Awabakal in 2013. HBCF and Awabakal collaborated on the ‘Deadly Choices’ campaign which aimed to improve Aboriginal women’s health, by encouraging them to get regular women’s health checks.
Don wanted to create this campaign in honour of Meg. We honour her memory as a proactive member of the community. Unfortunately, Meg passed away due to her own battle with breast cancer in 2021. We want her legacy to live on in this event and fundraiser every year.
Together, we can build a future where every individual, regardless of ability, has the same access to the services that give them a chance to fight breast cancer—and win.