Breast screening rates lower in migrant communities

With new figures revealing low breast cancer screening rates in migrant communities, two women have begun a campaign to encourage fellow migrant women to be screened.

As few as one in three women from some non-English speaking backgrounds are having the potentially life-saving checks because of their cultural upbringing.

"It is still taboo in some communities. The word 'cancer' does not even get a mention. It's called 'c'," said breast cancer survivor, Rosemary Kelada.

Kelada successfully fought breast cancer thanks to an early diagnosis, and now together with Vietnamese refugee Cuc Lam, the women are spreading the word about regular screenings.

According to the latest statistics from Breast Screening Victoria members of German, Dutch and Tagalog language communities had the lowest screening rates.