The Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar, says more dialogue is needed within families and communities to break free from the taboo culture associated with breast cancer.

She said this culture deprived women the opportunity of talking about ‘breast’ cancer with family members and other people.

“We have come across people who have lost one breast to this disease; this is nothing to be shy about,’’ Ms Akbar said.

She emphasised that the more people talked about it the more impact it would have on society in terms of awareness.

The 2015 Annual Report of the Ministry of Health revealed that the leading type of cancer in women in Fiji is breast cancer followed by cervical cancer.

She said breast cancer accounted for close to 60 per cent of cancers in Fijian women.

“It is undeniable that for most Fijian women with breast cancer detection comes in the later stages of the disease,’’ she said.

“It is also a fact that Fijian women often seek medical attention too late.

“We must recognise and take ownership of the fact that many disease that we face today is caused by unhealthy lifestyles.’’

She highlighted the need for having a support network to assist cancer patients and families with the availability of readily information.

Meanwhile Ms Abkar has pledged $2000 for the Pinktober symposium organised by the Fiji National University yesterday.

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