Multilingual screening program aims to improve cancer screening uptake in migrant and refugee communities

Australian Red Cross is proud to support the delivery of the Screening Saves Lives Program, led by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

This new national campaign is aimed at improving migrant and refugee communities' participation in breast, cervical and bowel cancer screening through the delivery of health education sessions and community engagement activities.

Cancer screening data shows that people from migrant and refugee communities face significant barriers to accessing reliable health information and education about cancer screening programs in their first language and from evidence-based health sources that they trust. A lack of health information and services in languages other than English can mean that people from migrant and refugee backgrounds often experience poorer cancer journeys and outcomes, due to delays in diagnoses and treatments.

Dr Regina Torres-Quiazon, MCWH Director of Programs, said learning about cancer screening in your first language can be life changing.

“Our Screening Saves Lives Program allows community members to develop trust, participate and engage with health information via a professional and skilled multilingual health educator, receive evidence-based health information and build the confidence to access life-saving screening services,” she said.

Sabeeha Nihad, Australian Red Cross Senior Manager Programs, said sharing the Screening Saves Lives program will help to improve health outcomes in migrant and refugee communities’ that the organisation works with.

“We recognise the importance of ensuring health information is accessible to communities with diverse backgrounds and languages and believe all people, including those made vulnerable through migration and irrespective of their status, deserve to have their health, dignity and wellbeing protected.”

The Screening Saves Lives Program has already experienced high demand from migrant and refugee communities, with one session held by True Relationships and Reproductive Health Queensland being attended by over 60 Arabic-speaking participants.

Participants have expressed eagerness to book cancer screenings after health education sessions, with some booking screenings directly after sessions.

The Screening Saves Lives program is currently underway nationally, and delivered in 20 languages including Arabic, Hindi and Nepalese. Led by the Multicultural Centre for Women's Health, the program is supported by a range of partners including Australian Red Cross, and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

Media inquiries
For media inquiries, please contact:

• Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health - Kim Grosser, Strategic Communications Manager kimg@mcwh.com.au
• Australian Red Cross - media@redcross.org.au or 1800 733 443.