Free breast screening exam to be offered to 100 cash strapped women in SVG (+Video)

One hundred financially disadvantaged women in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), will have the opportunity to be screened for breast cancer by way of a EC$20,000 donation.

The LaVue Hotel and the OTAK Group Inc based in Florida, USA came together for the donation which will provide 100 mammogram tests to persons who require breast screenings but are unable to foot the cost of the service.

During the month of October, LaVue hosted a campaign to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and were able to gather $10,000 which was equally matched by the donation from OTAK Group Inc.

“A lot of times, screening for breast cancer is overlooked or put off by patients due to financial circumstances they may face. To combat that, our campaign was able to raise the sum of $20,000 which equates to 100 mammograms,” General Manager of LaVue, Karan Rana told persons attending the handing over ceremony yesterday, Monday October 31.

The mammogram testing is to be conducted by local medical service provider, Health Solutions Inc. and will be done based on referrals from practitioners in the public and private health sectors. The service will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Accountant with Health Solutions Inc. Stan DeFreitas, says that breast screenings are critical to prevention of breast cancer and medical practitioners have continued to highlight the need for the service.

“We definitely see an upward trend in people getting screened, so the awareness is there.”

Quoting statistics from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), DeFreitas notes, “In 2018, breast cancer proved to be the main cancer death among Caribbean women… so it is statistics like these that highlight the importance of early detection, screening and preventative care”.

“We look forward to being part of this mission to bettering breast health in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

He added that although Breast Cancer Awareness month has come to an end, initiatives such as the free breast screening will “keep breast cancer in our consciousness”.

The handing over ceremony was also attended by Nicole Mager and Jeff Mager, representatives of the OTAK Group Inc. which has done humanitarian projects in Dominica, Barbados as well as St. Vincent and the Grenadines.