The Federal Government’s new campaign promoting free lung cancer screening is finding strong support among South Asian Australians, with community advocate Aparna Tijoriwala adding her voice to the push for early detection.
Aparna, who has helped lead community efforts to lift breast and cervical cancer screening rates among South Asian women, is now focused on lung health through her work with Pink Sari Inc. The organisation has long encouraged open conversations about cancer in South Asian families, where stigma and hesitation can limit access to health information.
Her involvement aligns with the It’s Good to Know campaign, delivered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing alongside partners including Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative. The aim is to ensure multicultural communities understand how the National Lung Cancer Screening Program works and who can take part.
Lung cancer remains Australia’s leading cause of cancer death and often develops without early symptoms. The national program offers free screening for people aged 50 to 70 with a history of smoking, using a low-dose CT scan that can detect cancer at an early stage, when more than 65 per cent of cases can be successfully treated.
Aparna said, “In our community, cancer is often seen as a sensitive topic—something people are hesitant to talk about or even think about. I understand that fear, but screening doesn’t mean you have cancer, it means you’re taking a positive step to protect your health. Taking care of your health today is one of the greatest ways you can care for your family tomorrow.”
Her work with Pink Sari Inc. reflects a simple goal: helping families understand that screening is free, quick and accessible, and that a conversation with a doctor or nurse practitioner can confirm eligibility.
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