Breast cancer affects both male and female
16.OCT.09
The Cancer Society of St. Vincent and The Grenadines calls on all Vincentians to become aware of the existence of breast cancer as an illness that affects both males and females directly. The Cancer Society is a volunteer organization that sets its focus in educating the population about cancer prevention and assisting cancer suffers financially in accessing treatment and offer emotional support during their experience with cancer.{{more}}
The Cancer Society is open to all to join as members to offer support. The society meets monthly and is not a doctors club. Funds are raised by financial donations, donations of items to the Societyâs thrift shop and the annual banquet. We need and ask for the support of everyone in any and all possible ways.
PRESIDENT GLORIA WILLIAMS
VICE PRESIDENT LA FERNE CATO
TREASURER DONNA BASCOMBE
ASST. TREASURER SYLVIA MAPP
SECRETARY PATSY WYLLIE
ASST. SECRETARY NEADIA PROVIDENCE
PRO DR. SHERIAN SLATER
NURSE REPRESENTATIVE SISTER PAT ALLEN
COMMITTEE MEMBERS HELENA ALEXANDER,
DR. WAYNE MURRAY,
GLENDA MATTHEWS
REGULAR BREAST EXAMIANTIONS ARE DONE WITH THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES IN MIND:
To first be familiar with the normal appearance and content of your breasts. No one knows your breasts better than you. Therefore, you will the best person to sense any changes before a professional examination.
- To find the earliest possible stage of a cancer
- To find possible features that can be suspicious of cancer or pre-cancerous
WHO SHOULD HAVE REGULAR SELF BREAST EXAMINATIONS MONTLY?
All females from age 18
All PERSONS with a family history of breast cancer
Males with female looking breasts / gynaecomastia
WHO SHOULD HAVE BREAST EXAMINATIONS ANNUALLY BY A PROFESSIONAL?
- All females from age 35
- All females and males with family history of breast cancer
- Males with female looking breasts / gynaecomastia
A PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION FOR A PERSON AGE THIRTY-FIVE AND OVER INCLUDES A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION BY THE TRAINED MEDICAL PERSONNEL ALONG WITH A MAMMOGRAM.
A MAMMOGRAM IS A SPECIAL X-RAY OF THE BREASTS THAT CAN DEMONSTRATE AREAS IN THE BREAST THAT ARE SUSPICIOUS OF POSSIBLE CANCER
It is important to note that physicians are not happy to make diagnosis when a cancer has already established or spread. In these circumstances we are in the worst case scenario and naturally situation like these carries the worst prognosis. We want to prevent cancers and make early DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTION which offers best possibilities for cures.
Not all cases of breast cancer present as lumps and, therefore, mammograms are a very important tool that when used in conjunction with your personal self examinations increase significantly the chances of early detection of cancers or suspicious areas in the breast.
A SPECIAL NOTE TO MEN
Approximately 1 or 2 out of every 100 persons who are diagnosed with breast cancer is male. Because there is generally significantly less breast tissue on men, the delayed diagnosis of a cancer can be detrimental as it does not have much tissue before it spread to nearby structures. This means that it is paramount that the diagnosis of breast cancer in men be made very early. There is very little room for error.
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