Mammograms a vital screening tool
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is being commemorated for the ninth time in Cayman, with a variety of activities scheduled throughout October.
In the 21 years it has been celebrated worldwide, the awareness campaign has boosted mammogram use, pressed for improved treatments and saved lives, according to the American Cancer Society.
In Cayman, the activities and promotions held over this month every year have improved detection here, according to Christine Sanders, education and office manager of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.
‘We know that because of this program, people have had their cancer detected which may otherwise have gone undetected.
‘The Cayman Islands guidelines are that women over the age of 40 should have a mammogram every two years, unless the doctor recommends you have one more often,’ she said.
The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens, along with the cancer society and the Health Services Authority, are taking part in presentations this month at clinics during the day and schools and churches at night.
During the presentations, doctors will speak about breast cancer and the Lions will hand out vouchers for free mammograms for those women who qualify.
The sessions will be interactive, with participants able to ask questions and taught how to perform self-examinations with a model of a breast.
The Lions Club usually hands out about 500 vouchers for mammograms throughout the month, according to Pat Bazell-Taylor, past president of the club.
‘We started this campaign after some members of the club lost dear friends due to cancer, and it was decided to increase the awareness level on the island. We also started a support group which is now Bosom Buddies,’ Ms Bazell-Taylor said.
Lifesaving tool
Mammograms are an important, potentially life-saving diagnostic tool for breast cancer, according to the ACS.
Two separate studies point to the advantages of this screening.
One study determined that, on average, women are being diagnosed with smaller tumours now than previous decades, due to earlier detection by mammograms, according to the ACS.
Another study cited by the society found that women whose breast cancer is discovered through a mammogram tend to live longer than those who find the cancer some other way, for example by feeling a lump.
‘Women who have mammograms on a regular basis can detect a lump before it can be felt or they realise there is a problem. The mammogram can pick up something the size of a seed,’ Ms Sanders said.
Highlighting the importance of mammograms, the HSA has implemented the double-read method for this screening tool.
Under this method, two radiologists will review each mammogram, which will more accurately evaluate and detect breast cancer in women, according to Caswell Walford, HSA public relations officer.
Earlier this year, a second radiologist, Dr. Yaron Rado, joined the staff at Cayman Islands Hospital, making this method practicable, he explained.
‘Now that we have two fulltime radiologists, we are able to perform double-read mammogram screening,’ Mr. Walford said.
Dr. Raju Namburi, who has been a consultant radiologist at CIH since May 2004, explained the benefits of this method.
‘The connection between early detection of breast cancer and improved clinical outcomes is unmistakable and the double-read method is the best method available for diagnosing breast cancer at a stage when it can be most effectively treated, since it can identify cancer several years before physical symptoms develop,’ he said.
Self-exams
Ms Sanders also stressed the importance of self-examinations in breast cancer detection.
‘Women should perform self-examinations once a month, at the same time, seven to 10 days after the onset of your period,’ she said.
Ms Sanders likened the breast to individual neighbourhoods.
‘By learning what’s normal for you, you can know what’s going on in your neighbourhood.
‘Everyone’s breasts are different. You need to check how it looks and how it feels. Breast cancer doesn’t have to be a lump. Any change in size or shape or colour can be a warning sign,’ she said.
Ms Sanders added that the area to check is not just the breast itself, but extends from the collarbone to the top of the ribcage and over to the armpits.
‘There are different methods for self-examination. Find the method that works best for you and stick to it,’ she added.
Self-examinations are an important part of regular breast checkups.
‘The doctor should check you once a year and you should get a mammogram every two years, but by checking yourself once a month, if there are any changes you can pick them up, and go to see a doctor,’ Ms Sanders said.
Fundraising events
In addition to the clinics and awareness evenings throughout the month, the Lions Club is sponsoring its ninth dress down day and run/walk.
On Friday, 14 October the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens is encouraging people to dress down and dress pink. Participants can also purchase pink ribbons from the Lions Club.
‘We hope to collect somewhere in the region of $10,000 from this,’ Ms Bazell-Taylor said.
The club is selling ribbons and metal pins, both of which cost $5. In February, the club raised $5,000 from ribbon sales, she added.
The next day, 15 October, is slated for the Brenda Tibbetts Lund Memorial Run/Walk. The event starts at the Public Beach on West Bay Road, with walkers heading out at 6am and runners beginning at 6.30am.
The entrance fee for the five-kilometre race is $15. The first 500 entrants to register will receive a T- shirt and a bag full of goodies and information, Ms Bazell-Taylor said.
The Lions Club is hoping that younger people will get involved as well, according to Liz Smith, chairman of the club’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month committee.
‘This year, the club is encouraging the participation of young people in the run/walk by way of inviting uniformed groups such as girl guides, cub scouts and the cadet corps to participate and wear their club T-shirt, and by discounting their entry fee to $5 per person,’ Ms Smith said.
All proceeds from both events will go towards Lions Club of Tropical Gardens breast cancer projects, which include funding mammograms and subsidizing a range of other patient-care costs.
The Lions Club does not restrict its assistance to those with breast cancer, however.
‘We are not limited to helping just those with breast cancer, but anyone with cancer that needs help we will help if we have the funds available. That is why we all work so hard in October to raise as much as possible,’ Ms Bazell-Taylor said.
FYI
For more information on breast cancer, contact Christine Sanders at 949-7618. To find out more about activities for the month, call Liz Smith at 916-1628.
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