The island’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Sharon Belmar-George in a recorded press statement said that in Saint Lucia, breast cancer is the number one cause of death in women and also the main cause of premature death in women. Most of these diagnoses she added are made in women from the age group 45-55years.
The risk of breast cancer, according to Dr. Belmar-George is increased with several factors such as, increasing age, obesity, harmful use of alcohol, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure, reproductive history, tobacco use and postmenopausal hormone therapy.
“Approximately half of breast cancers develop in women who have no identifiable breast cancer risk factor other than gender (female) and age (over 40 years). The symptoms of breast cancer can include: a breast lump or thickening, often without pain; change in size, shape or appearance of the breast; dimpling, redness, pitting or other changes in the skin; change in nipple appearance or the skin surrounding the nipple (areola); abnormal or bloody fluid from the nipple. The treatment for breast cancer depends on the subtype of cancer and how much it has spread outside of the breast to lymph nodes (stages II or III) or to other parts of the body (stage IV), the CMO said.
The Ministry is encouraging healthy lifestyles, regular screening and early detection saying these are key to improving the outcome of the breast cancer diagnosis. It’s with that mind, that the Ministry, throughout October, will be intensifying its breast cancer awareness education programme targeting the public and private sectors and the schools.
On Friday staff at the ministry led by example by adorning in pink to commence “Pink Friday” one of the activities for this year’s observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Work places and communities nationally will be invited to dress in pink or decorate work stations in pink with a message to generate visibility and demonstrate their championing of the cause of breast cancer prevention.
Educational sessions will continue for the month of October at all wellness centres under the theme “Let’s Stand for Her: Check Your Lemons”. The Bureau of Health Education and Community Nursing Service will conduct breast health session within Secondary Schools, with a specific focus on girls, teaching the importance of knowing their breasts, identifying the changes in their breasts, how to conduct a self-breast exam and loving and caring for their breasts.