EARLY detection of breast cancer contributes to the early diagnosis and treatment of the life-threatening condition and allows women to focus more on their personal, family and social life.

Fiji Cancer Society worker and cancer survivor Maryanne Wong Lee said early detection was a key factor in beating the disease and women played an important role in this.

“It is so sad that we lose some of our mothers, sisters, friends and family members to breast cancer because if women regularly examined themselves they would be able to access medical help quicker,” Mrs Wong Lee said.

“If women check themselves as often as they could, more than once a month, they would know if there were lumps or any other abnormalities in their body and visit the health centre to raise the issue.

“We know of cases where some people may be in some sort of denial and sometimes it is their husbands who call us and seek assistance. We try and speak to these ladies and encourage them to get all the help that they need.”

Mrs Wong Lee said although women may be in denial and shock after the diagnosis, there were support groups that would be available to help them.

“We at the Fiji Cancer Society are always ready to assist them in any way and the family is always a strong unit that they can count on. Women should be empowered to know that breast cancer is something that we can easily overcome.”