A community-led initiative in Sydney is encouraging Filipino women to prioritise their health and take part in regular breast screening, while helping make conversations about breast cancer more accessible and culturally relevant.
Key Points
- In NSW, women aged 50 to 74 are recommended to have a free mammogram every two years through BreastScreen NSW.
- In an interview with SBS Filipino, Selin Prasad and Katrina Santos-Monses, who work in breast screening and community engagement in Western Sydney, discussed how the initiative aims to reach Filipino women through trusted community networks.
- As part of its breast cancer awareness campaign, Pink Filipiniana will hold a Gala Dinner on 17 October 2026 at West HQ in Rooty Hill, Western Sydney.
“Tanang Tungo sa Ating Dibdib”
A poem by Katrina Santos-Monses/ Tutor Radiographer, Westmead Breast Cancer Institute NSW
Sa paglipas ng panahon at tayo’y singkwenta na
Nariyan ang pagkulubot ng balat, buto’t kalamna’y pagang paga
Hanap-hanap ay salamin sa mga nanlalabong mga mata
Ganap na nga nakarating sa estado ng pagtanda
Sa kabila ng lahat ng unti-unting pagbabago
Katawang wari mong humihingi ng tuwinang saklolo
Sariling kalusugan pagkaisipin, huwag bibitawan at isusuko
Para sa pamilyang umaasa at hindi mabibigo
Tayo’y tila muna tumingin sa dibdib tungo sa harapan
Ating itong ugaliin suriin at pagkaingat-ingatan
Ipaalam, bumisita at magdesisyong magpapamammogram
Para sa mga dibdib makita ang kanilang kalagayan
Ginhawa’y saglit na mawawaksi, sa mga dibdib na iipitin
Ngunit dahil sa kaunting sakripisyo katapat nama’y tahimik na isipin
Kung kanser man ay dumating, ang mammogram ay kayang saklolohin
Madiskobre itong maaga na sa gayong kayang gamutin
Kaya’t sa ating mga kababaihan, makinig ng maigi
Tayo at ang ating dibdib, magsanib at magkampi
Pahalagahan ang mga eksaminsayon at magpamammogram palagi
Dahil sa kalusugan nati’y mauuwi sa tunay na pagwawagi
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