(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The critical importance of screening for breast cancer to ensure early detection and treatment was underscored Friday at a Seminar on the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, at the headquarters of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana.

The seminar, held on October 30, 2009, was organised by the CARICOM Secretariat Staff Association. It was intended to create awareness of the disease among the general staff population.

Facilitator of the seminar, Coordinator, Centre for Chronic Diseases, Ministry of Health, Guyana, Dr. Gumti Krishendat, stated that data collected in Guyana in 2007 revealed that breast cancer was responsible for 16.9 percent of neoplastic deaths – 0.5 percent accounting for males.

While the statistics was not comforting, she said that research also showed that nearly 97 percent of women, who are diagnosed early, had a higher chance of survival than those who found out of the cancer when it had progressed.

Dr. Krishendat stated that there were several non modifiable risks such as, genetic risks which increased women’s chances for the disease. She hastened to add, however, that there were things women could do reduce their predisposition. These practices include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and early diagnosis.

In her remarks on behalf of the Staff Association, Committee Member, Ms Konyo Addo stated that the seminar was a show of solidarity with the rest of the world, in recognition that the disease potentially affected the majority of the work force and the population of the Community.

“It is our hope however that what results from the presentations and discussions will be more than a temporary halt to reflect and acknowledge breast cancer,” Ms Addo stated.

During the seminar members of staff benefited from a demonstration on how to do self-examination of the breast, and how to detect abnormalities.