One woman in ten is affected by breast cancer at some point in her life. Breast cancer is diagnosed every two minutes in the European Union and a woman succumbs to the disease every six minutes.
These startling figures were given by St James Hospital Group chairman Josie Muscat at a half-day conference which urged women to be breast-aware, a message that has been harped on all month as many countries marked Breast Care Awareness Month.
Although regular screening will not decrease the incidence of breast cancer, it can go a long way to improve a woman's chances of recovering.
The hard truth, St James Hospital's head of radiology Josef Tabone said, is that if a woman is to contract breast cancer she will, irrespective of how many tests she undergoes.
Health Promotion Department senior health promotion officer Marianne Massa stressed that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she should be given the opportunity to decide her treatment options together with her doctors.
"It is important for doctors to discuss the possible options available with the patient. Women should be active participants," she said.
Ms Massa emphasised that breast cancer does not only have physical effects, but also psychological, and participation in treatment is part of the healing process.
There are over 200 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Malta every year, and last year 61 women succumbed to the disease.
But not all is doom and gloom, and cancer mortality has fallen by over 12 per cent in the last six years, Dr Muscat said. The other good news, Dr Tabone said, was that the survival rates after six years are quite high.
Dr Muscat said mammography detected tumours that are about the size of a chickpea. He added that according to the World Health Organisation, mammography screening can reduce the rate of mortality for breast cancer by up to 35 per cent.
He said mammography not only detects breast cancer, but also avoids any unnecessary interventions, since only one in every 10 lumps need further intervention.
The smaller the tumour, the better survival rates, but earlier detection and diagnosis also reduced morbidity as treatment may be less aggressive and the chance for a permanent cure and breast preservation was increased.
St James Hospital reduced its prices for mammography screening during October from Lm29 to Lm19 and Dr Muscat announced that the offer was being extended throughout November.
Also present for yesterday's conference were the Prime Minister's wife, Kate Gonzi, Breast Care Support Group president Jackie Vassallo and Middle Sea Insurance plc assistant general manager Simon Camilleri.
Breast examination
All women over 20 should self-examine their breasts at the same time each month, avoiding the days immediately before, during and after the period, Ms Massa said.
Over 30s should continue with their monthly breast self-examination, but also have a clinical breast exam conducted by a health professional at least every year.
When a woman turns 40, she should also have an annual mammogram.
Risk factors
A long reproductive life is one of the risk factors which could lead to breast cancer, Dr Tabone said.
Late first childbirth or having no children.
Family history - mother, sisters or aunts having breast, colon or ovarian cancer.
Taking Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Being over 40.
Other risk factors include:
Obesity and a high fat diet.
High alcohol consumption.
Smoking.
Physical inactivity.