BreastScreen Aotearoa
Winner: People's Choice — Best Plain English Communication
BreastScreen letter
Lani Apperley of BreastScreen Aotearoa with Sponsor Dave Bell of Printing.com
Judges' comment
While this letter is clearly a template, the tone is warm and personal and the information is presented using an accessible structure and engaging language. One has to hope that many women across New Zealand are receiving good news like this, presented in a format that readily appeases any anxiety they might have.
Media statement
When women in the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme receive their mammogram results letter — or any other correspondence relating to the screening programme — it is crucial that the information is easy to understand. We are mindful that we are communicating sensitive information, which can involve a high level of stress for the women involved.
Most women take part in breast screening in order to be reassured they are healthy, rather than with the expectation they are not. It is very important to us that any communication contributes to a positive experience and helps to encourage eligible women to return for a mammogram every two years. A high level of participation in the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme is essential to reducing the number of women die from breast cancer.
It is also important that we clearly communicate that mammogram results do not constitute a diagnosis and that cancers can sometimes be missed, so women know that if any symptoms develop, they should have these promptly investigated.
We aim to continually improve the way we communicate health information to women in, and eligible for, the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme.
Maree Pierce
Programme Leader