THERE is a need for early detection of breast cancer in women in the country if we needed a chance of positive outcome for treatment.
This was one of the focal points discussed at the launch of the Fiji Cancer Society’s (FCS) Pinktober Awareness event at Tanoa Plaza Hotel yesterday in Suva by Minster for Health and Medical Services, Rosy Akbar.
Ms Akbar said breast cancer in Fijian women was detected late which meant treatment was also often delayed and the chances of a positive outcome were reduced.
Ms Akbar said people living in Fiji couldn’t afford to be complacent when it came to the killer disease.
“Breast cancer survivors tell us about the financial, social and emotional costs of breast cancer for themselves and their families. The fact that breast cancer often affects women when they are pursuing careers or caring for children is particularly cruel and merely multiplies the impacts on society,” Ms Akbar said.
She added many women chose traditional medicines first when they detected a breast lump or when they received a diagnosis of possible breast cancer from the hospitals.
“Many women try to ignore their condition until the pain and suffering become unbearable but, by that time, the cancer may well have spread to other organs and parts of the body and the outcome is sadly inevitable.
“I do not deny that such cures may bring comfort and reassurance to some women, but too many women try to ignore their condition until the pain and suffering become unbearable but, by that time, the cancer may well have spread to other organs and parts of the body and the outcome is sadly inevitable.
“We also know that, for too many Fijian women, breast cancer is detected late which means treatment is also too often delayed and the chances of a positive outcome are reduced.”
Meanwhile, general manager Tanoa Fiji Hotels Narend Kumar presented a cheque of $10,000 to FCS to help raise awareness and combat breast cancer in the country at the launch.
“We are proud to be associated with FCS. All six of our hotels Fiji wide have different initiatives for the awareness of cancer. Our awareness has also extended to Samoa and Tonga where our hotels are based as well,” Mr Kumar said.
The month long event, which is about providing and creating awareness of breast cancer among women in the country, started with more than 100 guests present at the launch.
The Pinktober campaign will run for the duration of October.
