'My story, your story, our story': BCNA visits Palm Island

In the final week of May this year, three Breast Cancer Network (BCNA) leaders travelled to Palm Island to meet with community affected by breast cancer, and hear their experiences of the local healthcare system.  

At the invitation of Rachel Atkinson, CEO of the Palm Island Community Company, BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti, Board Chair Gabrielle Coyne, and Deputy Chair Professor Jacinta Elston visited the lands of the Manbarra and Bwgcolman people, where they were welcomed by community elders in a moving, uplifting ceremony. 

‘To be invited to Palm Island, welcomed by the people, and given the opportunity to sit with them and hear about their lives was truly a career highlight for me,’ said Kirsten. ‘The Welcome to Country that we representatives of BCNA received was so special. A very profound experience for Gabrielle, Professor Jacinta and I.’  

Beginning with the importance of local stories being shared and heard, the Welcome to Country emphasised a central idea that set the tone for the rest of the visit on Palm Island. 

‘We were reminded that when “I tell my story, and you tell your story, it becomes our story. And together, these stories will change history”.’ Kirsten said. ‘Hearing this really brought the deep meaning behind the tradition of Welcoming someone onto sacred Country to life, and set the scene for a very beautiful, safe and engaging time together.’ 

The conversations that unfolded from there centred on local experiences of the Breast Screen Program, and other services available to those on the island who have been affected by breast cancer. While significant progress has been made to the healthcare available to residents of Palm Island in recent years – on both the island, and on the mainland in Townsville – many in the community have challenges with the system. 

Our team was there to understand the challenges that exist, while refining the role the organisation can play in helping to meet those challenges and work towards overcoming them – not just for the people of Palm Island, but for First Peoples across this continent. 

Trust continues to play a profound role in shaping the sense of safety that many affected by breast cancer feel at the prospect of engaging with the health services and settings available to them. 

‘But something that struck me was the way that every conversation about a challenge was always met with a commitment to finding its solution,’ said Kirsten. ‘And the resounding message we heard, again and again, is that culturally responsive care driven by community for the community must be core to each solution.’ 

During their visit, the team met with health care experts across the sector to hear their personal and professional perspectives.

Aunty Liela Murison, the Indigenous Cancer Coordinator of Breast Screen Queensland, talked with the BCNA team about how critical it is to have breast screen buses constantly present in community, so they can be ready and available to people when they are needed. She also emphasised how essential it is to have care that is community-led.  

‘Aunty Liela told us that in order for people to feel truly safe and understood, they need to see themselves in the system including BCNA.’

Though the rates of people from Palm Island who are being screened for breast cancer every year are steadily increasing, the breast screening rate for First Peoples throughout Australia is significantly lower than the rest of the population.

'The current breast screen rate for First Peoples is 36%, while the rest of the Australian population are at 52%,’ said Kirsten. ‘We know we need to do a substantial amount of work to improve that number. Building trust between our First Peoples and the healthcare system underpins that work.’

Throughout their time on Palm Island, Kirsten, Gabrielle and Professor Jacinta also witnessed significant developments in the local workforce at large.  

‘Aside from the day-to-day opportunities a strengthening economy gives the community, it’s brilliant to see its flow-on effects in the healthcare system. Every bit of growth improves the support available for people on the island who are living with breast cancer and their families.’ 

Aunty Liela also shared a special story with the team – one that dovetailed beautifully with a story frequently told at BCNA events by ambassador Raelene Boyle.

When BCNA launched in Canberra on the lawn of Parliament House in 1998, Raelene and BCNA founder Lyn Swinburne were accompanied by a group of Aboriginal leaders. It was a rainy day, and Raelene expressed some dismay at the weather.

But one of the women said to her, 

‘It's OK. The rain is our sisters shedding tears with us.’

For many years , Raelene has told that story at an event Aunty Liela was attending – and Aunty Liela had an incredible detail to add: she was with the women who had made that profound comment that had so affected Raelene.  

‘Hearing Aunty Liela tell about her part in that story I know so well from Raelene was very profound, and very moving, to me. A real full-circle moment,’ said Kirsten. 

The BCNA team also got to meet with GPs and Women's Health Officers who help women to navigate from the community centre through the Queensland health system. 

‘It was powerful to hear from them about logistical challenges that people living on the island encounter when they need to go to Townsville for their treatment.’ One conversation was around the way that women on the island often prioritise caring for their families over attending to their own health. 

‘Statistically, breast cancer is detected later among First Peoples than breast cancer in the rest of the country. This means it has a greater impact on their lives, and their communities.’

A key part of the challenge in improving health outcomes for local women is making sure they can get to their appointments, and move back and forward from Palm Island, with as much ease as possible.

‘We were privileged to meet with some of amazing First Peoples support workers who go with women to Townsville for their treatment, to help them navigate appointments while feeling culturally safe. In talking with these brilliant people, it was so clear to us, yet again, that systems don’t just need practical improvement, but cultural sensitivity and depth, too.’

‘We know that being at home gives the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Palm Island the greatest strength, and that needs to be supported while ensuring they are getting the right care in the right setting.’

The time spent with community on Palm Island renewed the BCNA team’s determination to continue working with our First Peoples to change the current outcomes for First Peoples communities affected by breast cancer. Alongside Gabrielle, Professor Jacinta and the entire BCNA team, Kirsten feels galvanised in that renewed awareness. 

‘Community care must be led by community, with every development being informed by the people it serves.’  

If you are a First Peoples person, please connect with your community through our My Journey resources.