ECCB hosts Lecture on Breast Cancer
Early detection is best protection

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN keeping with the acknowledgement of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson last night (Oct. 20) delivered a public lecture outlining the various issues associated with the disease at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium.

The event was organised by the local support group Reach for Recovery and drew a relatively large crowd of survivors, supporters and other interested persons.

This year marks the third hosting of the lecture, which was chaired by WINN FM’s Toni Frederick. Dr. Wilkinson explained that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organised by major charities to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention and cure. The initiative began in 1985 and offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

He further stated that although breast cancer is more prevalent in Caucasians, it tends to be more aggressive in persons of African descent and many of these persons suffer from adverse socio-economic conditions so they are not able to afford proper treatment and care; thus, more blacks die from the disease than whites.

Some of the causes outlined were being over the age of 40, obesity, hormonal usage, nulliparity, family history, personal history, race and gender. Statistics have shown that reported incidences of breast cancer in St. Kitts have risen from 2000 to 2008, with an average of 17 cases per year at an average diagnosis age of 44.5.

There are five stages and several types of breast cancer including inflammatory, carcinoma in situ and invasive. Persons suffering from carcinoma in situ can be cured and the survival rate for persons in Stage Zero is 100 percent, as opposed to the 10 percent rate for those in Stage Four.

Surgical and treatment options consist of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and partial or bilateral mastectomies. The cost of these measures can amount to as much as US$50 000.

Wilkinson recommended that women begin monthly breast self-examinations and annual clinical breast examinations at age 20, and undergo a screening mammography every year once they turn 40.

Some of the symptoms mentioned were an inversion of the nipple, dimpling of the breast, nipple discharge, lumps within the breast and, in advanced cases, bone pain, respiratory problems and seizures.

He concluded by expressing hope that more persons would go forward to be tested so that they could be diagnosed early. He was also opened to questions from the audience. The lecture was dedicated to Peggy Maloney, a Kittitian residing in the UK who is suffering from breast cancer and has a limited amount of time left to live.

SKNVibes spoke to founder and Chairwoman of Reach for Recovery, Agnes Farrell, who said that the aim of the lecture series is to “heighten awareness of breast cancer, with the goal of increasing incidences of early detection”.

An in-house donation totalling EC$700 was collected, after which members of the support group sold merchandise including mouse pads, bandanas and plushies, with the proceeds to be used for funding their various endeavours.