More than 350 cases of breast cancer have been reported to the Fiji Cancer Society which includes both males and females.

This was confirmed by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar during the Pinktober launch at the Gujarati Grounds in Ba last Saturday.

“So far this year, there have been 28 cases of breast cancer recorded, with 27 of the patients being females and one male,” she said.

“Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. No one knows why some women get breast cancer, but there a number of risk factors.”

She said the risk factors include obesity, lack of physical exercise, drinking alcohol, hormone replacement therapy during menopause, ionizing radiation, early age first menstruation, and having children late or not at all.

“Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, fluid coming from the nipple, or a red scaly patch of skin.

“It is a reality that women in the country are facing.

“The increase in breast cancer cases for those over the age of 30 makes our fight more important as we are dealing with women in child-bearing ages that have young families,” she said.

Ms Akbar said for young women to face this in life is intolerable because it affects spouses and children as well.

However she says the challenges remain for our women to come forward and be part of the awareness process and this is the only way to know the extent of the disease in Fiji.

“For a developing country such as Fiji survival rates are poor which basically makes awareness programmes very crucial to make difference.”

Ms Akbar believes that the cornerstone of breast cancer control is early detection and has urged for women to come forward and to be screened for any signs of breast cancer.

“The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation will further reach out to women in areas across Fiji to assist in awareness campaigns for early detection of breast cancer,” Ms Akbar said.

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