The Breast Care Support Group has opened its own premises 24 years after it was set up, fulfilling a long-felt need.

“Our dream of having our own premises has come true.

“Being here today shows that we can all work together to make the patients’ lives better,” the group’s president Ger-trude Abela said during the inauguration of the premises in Floriana’s St Anne Street.

Europa Donna Malta (Breast Care Support Group) will also be sponsoring two nurses to specialise in breast care in London, it was announced.

Health Minister Joe Cassar inaugurated the premises this week, praising the NGO for keeping the patient at the centre of its attention.

Ms Abela, a breast cancer survivor, told The Times it was important to maintain high spirits within the support group as it gave other sufferers hope that life goes on.

Another survivor, who has “been living with cancer for the past 17 years” will on Sunday set off for the Royal Marsden hospital in London to specialise in breast care.

Doris Fenech, 54, who works at the breast unit at Mater Dei Hospital, has graduated in psychiatric nursing but believes that no matter how much one knows, it is never enough.

The training will update her about the latest treatment and procedures.

Ms Fenech will be joined by Anna Catania, who also works at the unit.

The 42-year-old is doing a Masters in counselling and believes the need for specialised nurses is ever on the rise because although not everyone who is referred to the unit is diagnosed with cancer, “the anxiety is still there”.

Europa Donna Malta will be holding an awareness walk from Valletta to Sliema on March 24.

Registration starts at 8.45am near the Independence monument outside of the Mall in Floriana.