Breast care health diary launched

A health diary ‘Make Healthy Choices – Breast health is up to you’ was launched this morning during a press conference at Mater Dei Hospital, attended by, among others, Catherine Gonzi and Michelle Muscat, the Prime Minister’s and leader of the Opposition’s wives’, respectively.

The Breast Care Support Group is a non-profit organisation that was formed in 1989 and is affiliated with Europa Donna, the European Breast cancer coalition which represents the interests of European woman regarding breast cancer to local and national authorities and to institutions of the European Union. The Coalition has affiliated member groups in 45 European countries.

Worldwide, the month of October is dedicated to Breast awareness and three years ago Europa Donna declared the October 15 as Breast Health Day, with the aim of disseminating information about breast health and raising awareness about breast cancer among women across Europe.

This year’s campaign is called ‘Breast Health is up to you’ and its aim is to encourage girls and woman to commit to daily healthy lifestyle choices that can make a difference to their future breast health.

Ms Abela, herself a breast cancer survivor of 11 years, volunteers twice a week at the breast clinic at Mater Dei Hospital and is constantly impressed with the nurses.

She stressed the importance of self examination of the breasts and mammograms.

The group is for the most part made up of cancer survivors who provide peer support to women passing through the trauma of breast cancer. They also offer one-to-one counselling with trained psychologists where necessary.

It can be contacted on 9999 4666 or 2148 2602, e-mail: breastcaresupportgroup@gmail.com.

www.bebreastaware.org

www.breasthealthday.org