title: Public health advocacy in action: the case of unproven breast cancer screening in Australia.
abstract: In recent years, nonmammographic breast imaging devices, such as thermography, electrical impedance scanning and elastography, have been promoted directly to consumers, which has captured the attention of governments, researchers and health organisations. These devices are not supported by evidence and risk undermining existing mammographic breast cancer screening services. During a 5-year period, Cancer Council Western Australia (CCWA) used strategic research combined with legal, policy and media advocacy to contest claims that these devices were proven alternatives to mammography for breast cancer screening. The campaign was successful because it had input from people with public health, academic, clinical and legal backgrounds, and took advantage of existing legal and regulatory avenues. CCWA's experience provides a useful advocacy model for public health practitioners who are concerned about unsafe consumer products, unproven medical devices, and misleading health information and advertising.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth; WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Croager
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth, ckameron@cancerwa.asn.au.
authors.forename: Caitlin B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Kameron
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth; WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Iain S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Vreugdenburg
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth; WA Cancer Prevention Research Unit, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slevin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003254:Consumer Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008192:Deception; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D017097:Electric Impedance; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013817:Thermography; D014904:Western Australia