Early Detection and Regular Screenings Crucial in Breast Cancer Fight: Insights from Barbados Cancer Society

Early detection and regular screenings remain crucial in the fight against breast cancer.

That is the view of medical coordinator of the Barbados Cancer Society’s (BCS) Breast Screening Programme Dr Shirley Jhagroo, who spoke during yesterday’s annual CIBC and BCS Walk For The Cure.

Jhagroo disclosed that approximately five new cases of breast cancer were recorded each week. A positive among the grim statistics was that most of the cases were early detections between stage zero and one and therefore offer a higher rate of survival for those diagnosed.

“This is where our whole objective is – early detection – because when you discover [at] stages zero to one, the prognosis of a five-year survival is almost 99-100 per cent,” Jhagroo said.

“We still don’t know the exact cause, and we still do not have the exact cure but what we do know . . . is if it’s detected early, your five-year survival could be 100 per cent and we’ve actually seen this.

“In 2023, we did a review on patients who were diagnosed stages zero and one at our organisation. We went back five years, and one hundred per cent of them were still alive, so that’s good enough statistics. It’s heart-warming for us, and it encourages us as a team to keep working because it can even be better than that,” she added.

Yesterday’s walk drew an army of supporters clad in pink for the 2024 edition. Neither thunder, dark clouds nor showers were able to dampen the spirits of the supporters.

Split among sprinters and walkers, the devotees moved at their own pace all towards the aim of making strides in the fight against the illness. In a ceremonial moment, managing director of CIBC Barbados Donna Wellington joined cancer survivor Katrina Doughty in cutting the ribbon to kick off the event.

Beginning from CIBC Warrens, St Michael, the participants made their way to Hinds Hill, on to Queen’s College, continuing to Clermont Road onto the Ronald Mapp Highway towards Inchcape Barbados and then concluding at CIBC Warrens for the finish.

Chief executive officer of the CIBC Caribbean Mark Hill praised the walkers for their continued support of the initiative, which has been going strong for 13 years.

“It shows that people care and they want to be part of something special. It’s the biggest charitable event. We’ve raised over $5 million now across the region and it’s something that we feel very proud about,” he said.

This year’s promotion centred on the theme of Feel it, Find it, Fight It, which promoted selfscreening as a form of early detection. Representative of the BCS, Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand, said it was never too early to check and encouraged women to check their status

as early as possible.

“From the time they develop breasts, they have to learn the contour and feel of their breast so that the moment anything goes wrong, they can get it checked. Don’t be dissuaded by doctors and nurses who say you’re too young or you’re too old, anybody can get it, so they need to make a note.

“The young ladies, their boyfriends or husbands should understand and feel and get to learn how the breast is and be able to pick up a difference and the earlier we get it, the better,” she added. ( JRN)