'Hope' for breast cancer patients

St James Hospital, in Sliema is launching a breast cancer unit which will provide a holistic package from the moment of detection to dealing with the psychological trauma faced by women and their families.

Named Hope, the unit plans to do exactly that - give new hope to women and help them overcome the fear, isolation and concerns when the news of breast cancer hits home.

The unit, which will be inaugurated next week to coincide with Breast Awareness Week, aims to fill the gap which exists in addressing the issue of psychological recovery.

The hospital's management will also be offering special packages on breast screening services for the remainder of this month and November.

St James Hospital is hoping to be instrumental in the national drive to generate awareness on the importance of early detection as well as to focus on the education of women and their families on this disease.

The unit will provide women and their families with services ranging from surgical consultations, laboratory services, psychological support, prosthetics, reconstructive surgery, physiotherapy, a breast care nurse and community care.

Josef Tabone, a radiographer who was key to this unit's set-up, said in an interview that although breast cancer was normally associated with older women, it has also been diagnosed in women in their mid-30s.

Mr Tabone said it was important to carry out self-breast examination from a young age since once they became familiar with their breasts women could easily detect any unusual lumps.

"Significantly, lumps could or are detected during intimate relationships, yet these often went undiagnosed either out of fear or simply through lack of awareness on the subject," he said.

"Nobody knows their breast better than the women themselves and with regular self-examination they will be able to distinguish between a hormonal lump or an irregular lump," he added.

Apart from offering clinical breast examinations the unit will also coach the patient on self-examination as well as setting up a freephone number to give advice and answer questions.

Women who have a family history of breast cancer are at a higher risk, as are those over 40, those on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and those who had benign breast disease or previous breast malignancies.

"I still get women who postpone having a mammogram because they were under the illusion that it is painful. On the contrary, it is a very quick and safe examination which can be life-saving - the idea of pain comes from fear," Mr Tabone said.

Hospital matron Helen Muscat said the myth that size mattered when it came to breast cancer had to be dispelled - breast cancer did not discriminate between small or big breasts.

"Size could determine the surgical approach but small-breasted women should not delude themselves that they are at less risk," she said.

There were still too many myths about breast cancer and these had to be set aside if the disease was to be detected in time, she said.

"We have come across situations where families still believe that breast cancer can be infectious - these are extremes, but the situation exists and education is crucial," she said.

Ms Muscat spoke of the trauma women faced when they had their breast removed and pointed out that all too often they were not offered therapy to deal with an altered body image and sexuality.

"Sometimes women are too scared to look at themselves in the mirror without their breast. I know a woman who even keeps her bra on when having a bath, let alone allowing their partner to see them. We believe it is crucial for the partners and families to be involved in the whole process," she said.

The unit in Sliema now has a psychologist to reduce this isolation and to help the woman and her family heal.

"Through this unit we are offering new hope by providing the fullest service available."