New Program Targets Breast Awareness Among Young Women

 Young women will learn about breast health awareness through a new education program to be run by the McGrath Foundation and supported by the Federal Government.

 The Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, announced the Government will provide $465,000 in 2013-14 to phase one of the Curve Lurve program, which will spread the breast care message to young women in Australia.

 Funding will go towards a pilot program for Curve Lurve in Victoria and Queensland, employing two full-time educators to host training sessions on breast awareness with high schools, businesses and community groups. The program will teach up to 12,000 girls in Years 7 to 10 positive habits regarding their health, as well as awareness of breast health and risk factors for breast cancer.

 “Curve Lurve’s key focus is on empowering young women to look after their bodies, to know what’s normal and to take action to promote and protect their health and wellbeing,” Ms Plibersek said.

 A parallel community and workplace program will also reinforce to more than 20,000 women the importance of knowing their body and what is normal.

 The McGrath Foundation will evaluate the pilot of Curve Lurve before a national roll out.