The pink bracelet which the Breast Care Support Group is distributing. Photo: Jason Borg

The Breast Care Support Group premises in St Anne Street, Floriana, is opening its doors to the public as from today.

“Every Friday morning, people may drop into our premises with their queries about anything related to breast care,” said the association’s president, Gertrude Abela. “One can also speak to a breast care nurse by appointment.”

Visitors can also avail themselves of many informative leaflets for youths and adults, such as how to self-examine breasts and on wearing the appropriate bra. The centre will be open from 10am to noon.

The group, which is affiliated with Europa Donna, the European Breast Cancer Coalition, is very much focused on raising awareness, and the opening of the drop-in centre kicks off a string of initiatives throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Forthcoming activities include a fundraising event at Baystreet on Sunday; a walk on October 13 from The Point Shopping Complex in Sliema to St George’s Square in Valletta; and a lecture on Breast Health Day, held in honour of the group’s founder, Hilda Schembri, on October 15.

Those taking part in the walk will carry silhouettes of different colours: pink representing the incidence of breast cancer; white representing those who have succumbed to this disease; and blue for men, who can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Another event aims to raise awareness in a different way – through art. Some of Malta’s top female artists – 35 in all, including Madeleine Gera, Jackie Agius and Anna Galea – will be participating in the exhibition Awareness Through Art, which will run at the Cittadella Cultural Centre in Gozo from October 19 to November 10.

The Duke Shopping Complex in Victoria will also host a breast awareness event on October 26.

The Breast Care Support Group has also recently launched pink bracelets to distribute among women who are passing through or have experienced breast cancer. It is encouraging these women to wear these bracelets every day, especially so that if they are involved in an accident, medics will know that they should not administer intervention on that affected arm.

“These bracelets have been well-received,” claimed Ms Abela.

An issue the group is currently lobbying for is to compile a register of metastatic breast cancer, which is a complication of primary breast cancer, where the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

“Today, cancer survivors are living longer than ever before,” said breast care nurse Antoinette Attard. “It would be helpful to know how many have suffered from metastatic breast cancer and how many have survived for research purposes.”

The subject was also the topic of a conference held earlier this year in Malta.

The group organises monthly meetings and talks. Everyone, not only members, are welcome.

“Sometimes people just want to speak to others who have been through the same experience,” added Rowena Enriquez, a 33-year-old cancer survivor and mother of two.

Ms Enriquez set up a Young Survivors group to help women in her situation, who might have young kids and who might just want to share their fears.

For more information call 2148 2602/9999 4666; visit www.europadonnamalta.org.mt or the group’s Facebook page; or send an e-mail to info@europadonnamalta.org.mt, breastcaresupportgroup@gmail.com or rowena@europadonnamalta.org.mt.