Breast Cancer Awareness month eyes $250,000 mark

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1: The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre launched Breast Cancer Awareness month today at City Hall.

Activities will be held all month with an emphasis on encouraging women to be a part of the cure.

The community is encouraged to support many of the events including a fish fry, a walk, talks and more.

The goal is to raise $250,000, which will go towards upgrading our cancer diagnostic equipment and patient support systems.

Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Zane DeSilva said when detected early, breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of 98 per cent.

“Digital mammography is now the gold standard for breast imaging and remains the best available method of detecting breast changes – long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. 

“It also offers improved image quality, reduced radiation exposure, faster results and fewer patient recalls.

“Regrettably, some women in our community are not taking advantage of early detection opportunities and there are others who do not get screened at regular intervals.”

He continued: “We are reaching out specifically to those women to obtain accurate information about breast health, and to make sure they understand the importance of early detection and the impact of healthy lifestyle choices.

“Studies have confirmed that healthy lifestyle choices may significantly reduce the occurrence of breast cancer, yet many women are not aware that diet and exercise may impact their risk for this disease.

“We are urging our mothers, grandmothers, wives, daughters, aunts, sisters, cousins and friends to take time out of their busy schedules to protect the future of their health by scheduling an annual mammogram, seeing their physician, and conducting a breast self-examination each month.”