Dozens take to the street for Breast Cancer Walk

Several women, men and children clad in different hues of pink took to the streets of Kingstown last Friday, October 15, 2010, to participate in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Medical Association 4th Pink Cap City Walk.{{more}}

The Walk commenced at Heritage Square at approximately 3:30pm, and this year, the parade of Pink Caps was led by an 18 member squad of the CW Prescod Drum Corps and 22 young cheerleaders/dancers of the La Gracia Dance Company.

The SVG Medical Association was joined by members of the Soroptomist International of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, students of the SVG School of Nursing and the Nurses’ Association, Girl Guides of GHS, the CW Prescod Brownie Pack, Breast Cancer survivors, representatives from the National Women’s Movement and the Cancer Society, and the members of the general public. This exercise was intended to promote greater awareness about Breast Cancer. Educational material about Breast Self Examination was handed-out along the course of the Walk and a brief rally was held in Heritage Square to conclude the event.

Making comments at the rally, President of the SVG Cancer Society Wayne Murray emphasized the need for early detection of cancer, which can lead to less expensive treatment.

Murray noted that many individuals may feel lumps in their breasts and may not seek medical attention because they think they are young, so they are invincible. He urged women to get tested and to seek information from doctors about breast cancer. He added that women should find physicians who they are comfortable with, and never object to getting a second opinion.

He added that the Cancer Society will provide more information about the breast cancer and continue to educate the nation on the cancer.

Dr. Grant Ledger of the SVG Medical Association also encouraged persons to provide moral support to breast cancer victims and survivors and to listen to their story as often as they may tell it.

“While we cannot yet promise a cure, we can add strength to her will and spirit to fight this aggressive disease,” she said. Ledger further encouraged women to do breast examinations and mammograms if they are over the age of thirty, and to encourage their male friends to do breast examinations as well.

Dr. Don Martin, speaking on the issue of male breast cancer, said that it occurs less than it does in females. He stated that factors which need to be taken into consideration to prevent the disease in males are obesity and alcohol consumption, which he says increase the level of estrogen, the female hormone that causes breast cancer.

Breast cancer is currently the most common disease among women in the world, affecting about 100 million women.(OS)