Breast awareness and early detection of breast cancer (1)

For decades, the health authorities and NGOs have been debating which measures should be prioritised in prevention and treatment of breast cancer and still no definite conclusions have been reached on the 'best possible' national action plan.

The Report by the National Advisory Committee on Breast Screening (Ministry of Health) dating as far back as March 2000 includes recommendations on screening programmes and targeted age groups. The report called for the setting up of a Breast Care Unit for women at higher risk, with a committee to oversee the implementation of breast screening services.

However, in the final recommendations of the 2000 report it was stated that a review will be carried out in 2005. 'Based on the findings, a decision will be taken whether to introduce a national breast screening breast programme taking into consideration the latest medical and technological developments'.

A Breast Care Monitoring Board within the Ministry of Health was functioning until December 31, 2003. To date, the National Council of Women has no idea if this board which included a representation of NGOs (including the NCW) is still functioning.

In 2002, The Synapse, published by the Medical Professionals network was regularly providing articles about the Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast (July/August 2002) and Early Breast Cancer (March/April 2002). Even then, the articles provided enough medical evidence for breast cancer screening for a wider age group and not just the higher risk group.

It is on these grounds and further developments that the NCW reiterates the need for prevention and treatment of breast cancer in line with WHO standards. While supporting the government's commitment to a comprehensive strategy to tackle cancer and proposals for breast cancer screening services in the Pre-Budget 2009 document, the NCW believes that early detection measures for younger women and extending the services beyond the age of 59 should be a national priority.

The Health Promotion Department has been doing sterling work in the field of awareness raising. In collaboration with the Education Department, regular programmes on breast care in schools and workplaces, in particular on self-examination for young girls should be introduced. More intensive public education and prevention campaigns should be ongoing and not only concentrated round International Day for Breast Cancer in October.

The key is early detection.

Pooling together government resources, services offered in private hospitals and the expertise of NGOs, through private-public partnerships will ensure more efficient use of our human resources and provide access to different methods of early detection, prevention and treatment, new medicines and technology while saving on the expenses involved to improve current services.