Care Chemist Hill Park goes Pink to highlight importance of early breast cancer detection

Care Chemist Hill Park in Manurewa has been decorated pink to bring attention to the dangers of breast cancer and the benefits of early detection through regular breast screening. A special window display has been created, banners have been put up and educational flyers are being handed out in store.

Kathy Maxwell, owner of Care Chemist Hill Park, hopes that the campaign will encourage more individuals to consider having a screening exam every two years, as recommended by the National Screening Unit.

‘Breast cancer is still the most common cancer among New Zealand women,’ explains Kathy. ‘According to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, more than 2,600 new cases are expected this year. If these cases are spotted early and treated accordingly, these women will have a much greater chance of surviving.’

Kathy is also hoping to reach Maori, South Asian and Pacific Island women who are at a much greater risk of dying from breast cancer than non-Maori. Maori women have an 8% higher incidence of breast cancer while Pacific Island women are 54% more likely to die from breast cancer than other women in this country.

‘One of the reasons behind these higher figures is the low rate of attendance by Maori, South Asian and Pacific Island women for screening mammograms,’ says Kathy. ‘Hopefully, campaigns like this one will get women thinking and emphasise how vital getting a regular exam is. Anxiety is natural before an exam but the reassurance it will give you and your family makes it more than worthwhile.’

The breast screening campaign is part of a list of initiatives carried out by Care Chemist to educate communities around New Zealand on various aspects of healthcare.

‘We really want to make a difference to our local area. That is why we decided to get involved with raising awareness of breast cancer and regular screening,’ says Kathy. ‘We are already getting people coming in and asking about the initiative which is great to see.’

A number of other outlets in the Hill Park Shopping Centre are participating in the pink campaign. The initiative was organised by a group of businesswomen in the area, along with BreastScreen Aotearoa, New Zealand’s national breast screening programme.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz

For further details on BreastScreen Aotearoa, visit www.breastscreen.govt.nz

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About the Life Pharmacy/Pharmacy Brands group:

The newly merged company is New Zealand’s only listed retail pharmacy group and comprises the Unichem, Amcal, Life Pharmacy and Care Chemist brands which are located throughout the country. In total the company represents 257 retail outlets including 129 Unichem pharmacies, 75 Amcal pharmacies, 27 Life pharmacies, two Life outlet stores and 24 Care Chemist pharmacies. It has an ownership interest in 29 Associate pharmacy companies and one 50/50 joint venture operation. In the second half of this year the company will change the name of the combined entity from Life Pharmacy Limited to Pharmacybrands Limited, to better reflect the multiple brands it owns and operates.