A breast screen appointment is free and takes only 10 minutes, but the journey to get there can be filled with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
To replace nerves with confidence, BreastScreen Victoria has launched Behind the Screen - a six-part podcast series designed to walk listeners through the service before they even arrive.
While many know that screening saves lives, few know what the journey actually feels like. Behind the Screen bridges that gap, pairing expert clinical insights with the real experiences of Victorians who have navigated the service.
"We know that health information can feel intimidating when you are unsure of what to expect," said BreastScreen Victoria CEO Rita Butera.
"Through this podcast, we are opening our doors and walking listeners through exactly what we do.
"By leading with education and sharing the powerful, personal journeys of our clients, we want to ensure every Victorian feels supported and empowered when they visit our service."
Behind the Screen explores the reality of the journey, the power of early detection, the future of care and the importance of a commitment to equity.
"If our listeners are anything like me, they will be moved by the strength and resilience shared by our guests. Whether you are attending your first appointment or supporting a loved one through theirs, these conversations provide the insight needed to navigate the process with peace of mind," explained Ms Butera.
One of the podcast episodes explores the impact of the Beautiful Shawl Project - a program bridging the gap between clinical care and cultural connection.
In 2018, a partnership was formed between BreastScreen Victoria, the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and VACCHO to trial a cultural screening shawl with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
The success of the trial led to The Beautiful Shawl Project where BreastScreen Victoria and VACCHO partner with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations across the state to reduce barriers to breast screening.
The Project provides customised screening shawls to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women that are culturally appropriate, familiar and beautiful to wear during their breast screen.
The shawls, designed by local talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and artists, are gifts to take home after screening.
The podcast conversation brings together Nicole Laurie (Director of Communications and Client Engagement at BreastScreen Victoria) and respected Elders Aunty Jill Gallagher (VACCHO chief executive) and Aunty Deb Mellett (CEO of Djambana ACCO).
As regular screeners, Aunty Jill and Aunty Deb share their personal journeys to dismantle cultural taboos and normalise the screening experience for their communities.
"Aboriginal people in Victoria are no more prone to get cancer than any other Victorian, but what it showed was we're dying more with diagnosed cancers. We're dying more because we're presenting way too late," Aunty Jill said.
"Cultural safety for me means that a service acknowledges the first peoples of this country, the Aboriginal people of this state.
"Cultural safety means understanding some of the barriers that Aboriginal people went through to access services. Understanding those fears and why a lot of Aboriginal people don't follow up with specialist services is because of that fear and having access, but also because a lot of our families still live in poverty."
Aunty Jill said the whole concept of the shawl is "not just about modesty, it's about being wrapped in your culture while you're getting a breast screen".
"Culture is a protective factor. Being strong in your culture is a protective factor," she said.
Behind the Screen premiered its first episode on Thursday, the 29th of January, with new episodes published weekly on Thursdays.
Listeners can subscribe to the series on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud.
