Community invited to Breast health and abnormalities awareness session set for May 23 at USM

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GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – A Breast cancer awareness session entitled “Breast Health and Abnormalities” is planned for Monday, May 23 at the University of St. Martin (USM), Room #202 from 6.00PM to 8.00PM.

During the information session, a risk calculation will be conducted for participants who are interested in knowing their risk factor.

Participants will also learn about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer; what can be done to decrease the risk; the importance and steps of doing breast self-examinations; and the steps to take if one does have a suspicious finding.

This session is being organized by Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour in collaboration with the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) and the Positive Foundation.

Presentations and risk factor calculations on tablets will be done by Dr. Britta Haydel, a graduate of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, who has thoroughly researched breast health and abnormalities.

Dr. Haydel along with a number of students from AUC is pleased to share this information with St. Maarten.

Early detection is still our best protection, says Shelly Alphonso, President of the Positive Foundation.  Earlier diagnosis coupled with advances in treatment has led to better outcomes and longer survival for women with breast cancer.

It is important that women on St. Maarten come out on Monday March 23, at the University of St. Maarten.

For more information you can contact CPS at Tel# 542-3003 or 542-2078 or call the Positive Foundation at 580-9658 or visit Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/Positive-Foundation-169205501619/

In the Americas, more than 408,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 92,000 women died from this disease, in 2012.  By 2020, the number of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer is projected to increase 46 per cent in the Americas, if current trends continue.