November 1st, 2013 -- The month of October is internationally designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And today 31st October 2013 is being observed by the Reach for Recovery Breast Cancer Support Group as Breast Health Day.
Breast Health is an integral part of my Ministry’s focus on protecting health, promoting good health and preventing ill-health.
Scientific research has identified a number of factors that protect the health of our breasts.
These protective factors include:
(1) A minimum of three hours of exercise per week.
(2) Limiting alcohol consumption to a maximum of one drink per day.
(3) Keeping body weight under control.
(4) Eating a diet based mostly on foods from plants and
(5) Breastfeeding.
The science shows that women who breastfeed and girls who are breastfed have less chance of developing breast cancer.
It is interesting to note that all of these protective factors relate to personal lifestyle choices, which require great discipline especially in these times when it is far easier and much more fashionable to eat fast food rather than a good home-cooked meal and to sit behind our computers, lap-tops and ipads for hours rather than move about.
These choices inevitably lead to obesity and its associated complications such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Early signs of these conditions are already being seen in our primary school children.
Currently 15% of children and 50% of adults are obese. Obese children become obese teenagers who eventually become obese adults. If childhood obesity is not reversed now, the level of obesity in adults is likely to reach 60-70%. In these circumstances, the rates of breast and other cancers will escalate to disastrous proportions.
The good news is that breasts cancer is avoidable, preventable and if diagnosed early, treatable. It therefore behoves us all to make wise life-style choices to maintain healthy breasts. The simple formula is physical activity, a healthy well-balanced diet and regular check-ups. Early detection saves lives.
Indeed breast health improvement is a journey that calls for continuous collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil society to strengthen protection, promotion and prevention services.
I am pleased to report that some corporate entities like Subway and Life Fitness Centre have agreed to collaborate with The Reach for Recovery Support group to promote healthy lifestyle choices.
Only last evening the St. Kitts Bottling Company launched a major fund-raising initiative partnering with two of our breast cancer support groups, Reach for Recovery and Essence of Hope. Through its premium product Aqua Vita water, the St. Kitts Bottling Company will set aside a percentage from the sale of Aqua Vita water which will be donated to both support groups to enhance their programs and to help pay for treatment of those diagnosed.
I am equally pleased to report that my government’s efforts to roll out a national health insurance scheme are well advanced and will benefit all who are not covered by medical insurance. The coverage will include regular check-ups, mammograms, air ambulance and the cost of treatment.
Breast cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can be extremely expensive. We are all too aware that the astronomical cost of such treatment can cause persons diagnosed and their families to deplete their life savings, go into substantial debt or to be plunged into poverty.
Medical insurance is one way of providing relief. As part of the plan all who need breast health services, be it prevention, diagnostic or treatment will be able to use their insurance cards to pay for such services.
I therefore end with this message of hope. There is a better and brighter future for breast health in St. Kitts and Nevis.
I wish to thank the St. Kitts Bottling Company for its partnership with Reach for Recovery and Essence of Hope. I would also wish to thank Subway, Life Fitness Centre and all other corporate entities that have joined the fight against breast cancer.
Special thanks to Agnes Farrell, founder and president of Reach for Recovery and Pamela Armstrong-Hendrickson, founder and president of Essence of Hope and the members of both support groups for championing the cause of breast cancer and breast health in our Federation. Let’s make every day a breast health day.
Thank you and God Bless.
Hon. Marcella Liburd
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