Breast cancer activists call for ‘proper’ breast unit

Launching their new website  and the 2011 PINKTOBER campaign at the Hard Rock Café in Valletta, the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation said whilst Mater Dei Hospital is providing patients with prosthesis services, an adequate fitting room is needed.

Helen Muscat, member of the Foundation, said women needed a private and quiet place where to feel comfortable. She said, the Foundation hoped that the new oncology centre would be equipped with a proper breast care unit, catering for all services.

“Post-op services should also be given the same importance in both public and private sectors,” Muscat said. “A simple check-up after six months is not enough for someone who has just had a tumor removed. At least once a year, the doctor should provide him or her with a bone and a blood test.”

Talking about her own experience, Muscat said that even though she had been visiting a doctor for five years, through which she was always being told she was “ok”, it later transpired she had metastatic cancer.

“This could have been addressed earlier if I had received a proper investigation.”

She also said that no information is given to patients before going to Boffa Hospital for treatment: “Many of them are lost, without knowing what to expect."

Present for the launch were also Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea and Labour MP Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.

Praising the work which the Foundation does, Galea urged the public to become members, helping it in its work. He said that many women are affected by breast cancer, even though the death toll is on the decrease.

Recalling the National Breast Screening Programme set up in 2009, Galea said 11,485 women had done a free mammogram at the Centre. It was found that 83 of them had cancer.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Galea said the age group for women eligible for the national breast screening programme will be widened, to cater for younger-aged women. Currently, women born in 1955 have been called to visit the clinic.

He said, that even though the rate of people dying of cancer is declining, people still associate cancer with death. “I am convinced that the foundation is helping a lot of people through the talks it organizes between survivors and patients.”

Galea said that men – who have a far lower risk of suffering from breast cancer - shouldn’t ignore it. “Even though in three years there were four cases of breast cancer amongst men, we should be aware it could still affect men.”

Preca, the Opposition’s spokesperson on health, said that family history, having children at a later stage or none, starting menstruating at an early age, late menopause, smoking and alcohol abuse increase the chances of developing breast cancer.

“Regular exercise from a young age, together with a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, amongst other food products, such as soy products, whole grain and flaxseed, can decrease the risk of cancer,” she said.

Referring to a report conducted by the National Audit Office on healthy nutrition, Preca said: “Malta is yearning for a national holistic strategy and plan to address the urgent need to achieve a healthier nutrition environment in our homes and schools.”

She added that the PL is “very much committed to approaching matters from a preventive perspective, to help reduce some of the risk factors that can contribute to the emergence of this type of disease.”

For more information about Action For Breast Cancer Foundation and the 2011 PINKTOBER campaign, visit their website: http://actionforbreastcancer.com