First Peoples: Advice for our peoples and communities

TOPICS

Family and friends Emotional wellbeing and mental health

First Nations peoples content warning

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that the following content may contain images, voices, or collaborations with people who are now deceased.

Women from First Peoples communities across Australia talk about why it’s important to ask for help and accept help from the people around you. They also discuss why it’s important to educate the younger generations about breast cancer, and how talking to your community and sharing stories can help you.

We recommend you take care when watching this video as some people may find the content upsetting. The people featured in this video are sharing their own unscripted personal stories. This is not intended to replace medical or professional advice.

This video was made with support from Cancer Australia through the Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed With Breast Cancer program.

Lilah It's always good to have to talk to somebody that's gone through what you've gone through

Erica If you need someone to talk to you've got people like me and Aunty Pam and Leah we can explain it

Aunty Pam Some people I think oh because I’m aboriginal person do I want to share that with other aboriginal people because I don't know how they're going to react to that so I would definitely be looking at the best person who is going to help you and who you can have a good yarn to

Aunty Dot There's lovely you know people to help you and support you on the way

Natasha You know when you get home help and things like that you're like oh my house is a mess and I really don't like it like this but you know what you just have to just let them come and help you because you'll feel better once your house feels nice and looks better makes you feel good about yourself once there's a little bit of cleanliness around the house because you can't do it you just can't and you just have to put your pride to the side and just say hey yeah I need this help

Leah There's no shame in asking because we all need help sometimes and when you're vulnerable this is you know when you need help most

Lilah Ask questions don't be scared to ask don't been indigenous it's our people we are frightened to ask questions you know the appointments that you have to have are very very important do not miss those appointments always listen to your doctors

Andrea Learning to take some me time and actually to speak up for myself and say hey I actually need a bit of help with this I’m not feeling guilty if I just needed to lay on the couch and watch tv or something

Aunty Pam Look after yourself give yourself a treat and also go and buy a new dress or something like that

Sally What I encourage you to do is you know as young women you need to be you know looking after yourself and feeling your breasts and making sure that you get your aunties and moms and sisters and you know everyone every female person in your family make sure that you talk to them about this let them know what I’m going through

Leon You know try and be strong and you know be positive be positive