Women need to talk openly about lumps and family cancer history if early detection is to improve, says Royal Suva Yacht Club general manager Tai Smith.
Ms Smith was speaking at a Pinktober morning tea hosted by the yacht club as part of its social obligation for October.
She said the club wanted to be part of the awareness drive because cancer had affected her own family deeply.
“I come from a family that has been badly affected by cancer, so I really want people to be aware that you can get genetically tested,” she said.
“I hope we can find out how easy it is for people to get tested. If one member of your family has it, the whole family should get tested. If you know you carry the gene, you are halfway to winning the war.”
Ms Smith said caring for her aunt during her final months made the message more personal.
“Caring for my aunt in her last few months brought the message home much stronger for me.”
When her aunt was in her last stage, doctors from Melbourne sent her home to Fiji and said she had two weeks to live. With dedicated care at home, she lived longer.
“I am proud to say that with the care we gave her, we were able to keep her for another four months.”
She said lifestyle changes and good local food may not cure the disease, but can give patients more quality time with family.
“A small lifestyle change may not save your life completely, but it can give you precious moments to enjoy with your family, and with less pain.”
Ms Smith said she has watched family members “waste away”, and it is painful to witness.
“When you watch your family waste away in front of you, if that does not affect you, you must be made of stone. It is not a nice sickness.”
For Pinktober, she urged women not to ignore any unusual growth on their bodies and to visit their health centre early.
“If anything is growing on your body that you are not familiar with, or not happy with, please use your health centre and get checked.
“We have health workers who can teach you how to check for lumps.”
She said traditional medicine should work together with hospital treatment.
“I am not saying traditional medicine is bad. It should work together with early detection. Do not turn away from Western medicine, because it helps.”
Ms Smith said even if the morning tea reached one person, it was worth it.
“Even if we impact one person, I feel I have done my job.”
