Last Updated on October 17, 2020, 12:49 PM AST by Anthony Morris
The Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, Minister of Health, encouraged both men and women of doing a monthly breast self-exam for ensuring that they schedule regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.
The Minister, speaking at the Sitting of Parliament on October 15 that as per John Hopkins Medical Centre, 40 per cent of diagnosed breast cancer cases are detected by women feeling a lump. So establishing a regular breast self-exam is necessary.
He said that therefore, everyone should do their monthly exams.
The Minister said that the Ministry of Health is doing its part with Oncologist Dr Marissa Grant Tate providing free breast examinations to various organizations and businesses during October in a campaign named Meet the Girls.
She said that the Ministry is encouraging all women to commit to regular breast exams.
She added that when people get to know their girls, they will be able to identify when something is not right. They would detect a lump early enough to be able to get a proper diagnosis of check-up from their doctor.
The Health Minister is encouraging as many organizations and businesses to sign up and be certain that the women within the business and organization learn how to perform their self-exam and receive a free breast exam.
She said that she would also encourage women to visit their health centres, the ones closest to them, and meet with one of the community nurses as well who would be able to provide them with the self-exam and teach them more on how you would be able to perform self-exam at home.
Minister Byron-Nisbett said that her Ministry would continue to work with the various cancer foundations and societies as they all work together for bringing awareness and support for breast cancer and for men and women, who are living with breast cancer.
Minister Byron said this during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is celebrated from the 1st to October 31 every year.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
