Government launches breast awareness campaign

According to the Malta National Cancer register, 220 new breast cancer cases are reported every year. Prognosis for this disease is good if the cancer is detected early and approximately 150 women beat the disease every year.

With the help of Helping Hands, who raised €10,000 the government will be raising awareness of breast health throughout the Maltese islands.

The money has been spent in the production of a leaflet identifying those at most risk of breast cancer, preventative measures and recommendations for detection. A television campaign will also be aired.

An outreach programme is to be set up in shopping centres where survivors of breast cancer will speak to women about the importance of screening on an individual basis.

It is recommended for all women over the age of 20 to perform breast self-examinations on a monthly basis. Women over 30 should have a clinical breast examination by a health professional as well as performing self-examinations. Any woman experiencing any doubt should consult their doctors immediately.

Speaking at a press conference Minister of Health Dr Joe Cassar congratulated the numerous people involved in the treatment of breast cancer for the excellent service they are providing.

It is one year since the opening of the breast screening unit at Lascaris, where free screening is offered to asymptomatic women between the ages of 50 and 60, for whom the risk of breast cancer is highest.

Of the 5,000 women invited for free screening so far, 66% have been screened. Of these women 42 new cases of breast cancer were identified and referred for treatment.

It is important that women detect this cancer early, as it is very curable if it is detected in the early stages.

Of the women invited for screening 34% did not turn up for screening. Statistics are still being studied and the Health Minister said that it is too early to be sure why these women did not attend screening. However he did say that some might have already been checked privately.

He said that fear plays a large part in women opting out of screening as they are afraid of a positive result.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging women to have themselves screened, to raise the percentage of women attending free breast screenings to 75%.

There is also a system of recall where the women who did not attend scheduled screenings will be invited back in the future.

Cassar stressed that awareness should not be targeted at women only, although only 1% of men are affected by breast cancer, increasing awareness among men and children will help them to encourage female relatives to have themselves screened.

Also present at the press conference were Action for Breast Cancer Foundation and Breast Care Support Group Europa Donna who are also providing valuable work in this sector. Cassar says that the combined effort of everyone involved will help in the battle against breast cancer.