The 10,000 Italian Roses Project – running in conjunction with Italian week – is in recognition of the 10,006 NSW women of Italian background between the ages of 50 and 74 who have never had a mammogram.

The Area News attended the event and had a chat with the host, People and Programs Team Leader Abby Molloy, to learn more about the project:

“The 10,000 Italian Roses is an initiative of NSW Multicultural Communications service,” Ms Molloy said.

“It’s a project trying to raise awareness in intervention method and prevention methods for Italian women  between the ages of 50 and 74 from getting breast cancer, because they’ve been identified as the least likely group to be utilising mammograms.

“Today, I want to target that group in our community – as the Italian culture is very strong here – and just inform them of the importance of mammograms and prevention methods.

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“I believe it’s important and the more that we spread the word that might be another life we can save.

“It’s important to everyone here,” she said.

We also spoke with guest speakers, Fiona Shields (McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Nurse), and breast cancer survivors and Boobs4Brains (B4B) representatives, Louise Valenti and Lisa Taliano.

“The event is to encourage Italian women to attend breast screenings,” Ms Shields said.

Ms Shields also intimated that it may be “a cultural thing” that prevents some Italian women from seeking breast screenings.

“They don’t talk about these sorts of things – they’re very stoic,” she said.

During the presentation, Ms Valenti and Ms Taliano spoke about their experiences, and stressed the importance of mammograms.

“People need to be more aware and get screened because there are no symptoms, and it doesn’t matter what age you are, or how fit you are, or how healthy you are – it does not discriminate; on anything, on age.

“And people have to be aware of that.

“For both of us [Ms Valenti and Ms Taliano] we were young. I was fit – exercising 24/7; eating healthy; didn’t even consider that it would happen to me, because I didn’t even fit the category.

“Next thing is, ‘Oh, you’ve got breast cancer’.

“As you get older you should be more aware of it, but I think a lot of people are scared of going because they’ve always been told it hurts.

“People think, ‘I’m not going to go’, or ‘there’s no history’.

“And, that’s another thing.”

“It could also be denial – you don’t want to know,” Ms Taliano added.

A digital presentation and materials were offered to guests with information regarding the importance of breast screenings.

Information pamphlets printed in Italian were also provided to help overcome any language barriers.

The morning tea of traditional Italian treats was donated by Bertoldo’s Bakery, La Piccola Grosseria, Broomes Fruit and Veg, and Josie’s Pizza & Pasta.

The event was followed with a gentle exercise class run by Monica Beckman of Griffith Aged Support Services.

If you are between the ages of 50 and 74 years old, you can have a free mammogram with BreastScreen NSW by calling 13 20 50. Italian speakers are invited to phone 13 14 50 for an interpreter.