GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers affecting women. Every October, the nation and
countries around the world profile breast cancer during ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ where a wealth of information is shared
on how to prevent it and promote the importance of early detection, and at the same time recognize the courage of breast cancer survivors.
The Collective Prevention Service (CPS), an executive agency of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour
(Ministry VSA), encourages Sint Maarteners to lower the risk of developing breast cancer by following some simple measures
such as eating a balanced diet, drinking less alcohol, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, and having
an annual screening for early detection.
CPS encourages businesses to promote awareness amongst their employees by wearing the pink ribbon and sharing pink ribbons with customers and suppliers during the last week of October if you have not already done so from earlier in the month.
According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), breast cancer is the main cause of cancer among Caribbean
females, accounting for 14-30 per cent of cancer deaths. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the
breast and can affect both men and women, but it’s far more common in women.
Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start, and women are encouraged to discuss this with their physician.
The exact causes of breast cancer aren’t fully understood, however, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer and include: age – the risk increases as you get older; a family history of breast cancer; a previous diagnosis of breast cancer; being overweight or obese; and excessive use of alcohol.
