A PAINLESS breast lump should never be dismissed as harmless, with women urged to undergo screening while they are still healthy rather than wait for pain or other symptoms to appear.
Fiji Cancer Society clinical nurse manager Karolina Tamani said late presentation remained one of the biggest challenges in the fight against breast cancer, with many women seeking medical attention only after the disease had progressed.
She said warning signs could include changes in breast size, inverted nipples, discharge, redness and pain. By then, however, the cancer could already be at an advanced stage.
“When we understand how breast lumps and breast cancer start, it all begins with a painless lump hidden inside the breast tissues, which will eventually mature and show signs, but at that stage, it will be (at a) late stage already,” she said.
Ms Tamani said early detection should not mean waiting until symptoms develop.
“Early detection to me means you don’t have the symptoms. You are coming to a clinic for screening, and you feel that you are healthy.”
She said high pain tolerance among some women could also contribute to delayed diagnosis, with some turning to traditional and herbal healers when pain eventually developed.
Ms Tamani urged women not to wait for pain before seeking medical advice. Any breast lump, particularly one that was painless, should be checked at a clinic as early as possible.
The warning comes as Pinktober continues to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of prevention and early detection.
Ms Tamani said the campaign was also an opportunity for women to reassess their lifestyles by exercising regularly, getting adequate rest and reducing stress.
She encouraged women to use the free screening services available daily at the Fiji Cancer Society.
The society also highlighted a new HPV self-testing service for women aged 39 to 59.
The test allows women to collect their own sample privately and comfortably, with results available within an hour through a GeneXpert machine donated by Bank of South Pacific.
Ms Tamani stressed that a positive HPV result did not mean a woman had cancer.
“A positive result means the virus is present, not cancer, and treatment is available to remove the affected cells before they become cancerous.”
The initiative aims to improve early detection and ensure women have access to screening before serious disease develops.
Ms Tamani urged women to take responsibility for their health and make screening part of their routine healthcare.
“Invest in your health. Take the first step and get checked.”
