The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs throughout the month of October, will intensify its breast cancer awareness education programme.

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 are made among women in the 45 to 55 age group.

As Saint Lucia joins the rest of the world in observing Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Ministry of Health has planned several activities with the focus on education and sensitization. To this end, the ministry led by example by adorning in pink to commemorate 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,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George in a recorded press statement. “There will also be community outreach led by the community nursing service. Each wellness centre will dedicate one day of screening to community members also decorate and showcase a display table throughout the month of October. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will also be conducting education sessions, breast cancer screenings anf health fairs for staff at workplaces. We will also be staging a mini health expo in collaboration with the Millennium Heights Medical Complex’s Oncology Unit.”

Educational sessions will continue for the month of October at all wellness centres. The Bureau of Health Education and the Community Nursing Service will also conduct breast health sessions  within secondary schools with a specific focus on girls.

Another activity is Kick for a Cure, a special event held during the month of October to launch the Veterans Football Championship. The event will be held on the Dennery Playing Field on Oct. 21 and 22. During this activity the Ministry of Health would be conducting screening and educational sessions.

Globally, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685, 000 deaths in 2020, making it the most prevalent cancer in the world.

The risk of breast cancer 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.

The Ministry of Health says healthy lifestyles, regular screening and early detection are key to improving the outcome of the breast cancer diagnosis.