The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar has urged women to remain empowered and not fall victim to the stigma surrounding cancer if they are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ms Akbar officiated as chief guest at the Soroptimist International Ba branch Pinktober, Rural Women’s Day and World Food Day celebration on Saturday. It was held at the Ba Women’s Forum building.

“Let me tell you the reality of breast cancer; the women I’ve met, the survivors I’ve met, those who are suffering from breast cancer I’ve met, it’s natural, it’s a disease, you are still you, remember that,” she said.

“If the doctor says to you, ‘yes you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer or any form of cancer’, you are still you and there is medical help available.”

She said many women kept their breast cancer diagnosis to themselves and this impacted their families when they decided to present themselves to medical professionals during the late stages.

“My experience with the health ministry and the data that we see every year, every month is alarming and shocking; every life lost to any form of cancer has an impact on the whole nation and the family as well,” she said.

“Imagine if the woman is not in the family, she passes away because she had cancer and it’s real, the children get affected, the family get affected if the woman is earning, the family’s financial dependence goes away.”

She said women needed to utilise health centres and health care professionals available to clear their concerns.

“Early detection will save lives, but if you reach the hospital when half of the breast has actually rotted away that’s sad and it’s a reality so you must look after every other woman that is present around you, especially our elders, our seniors, working mothers,” she said.

“I’m sure our nurses understand this and they will explain to you all that you need to know and for the men who always partner with us to ensure that women’s interests are at the forefront, thank you very much, it’s important that men and boys understand.”

Attempts to contact Soroptimist International Ba branch president Maria Dotton were unsuccessful however Lautoka branch president Zareena Bi confirmed the Lautoka branch would be having their Pinktober celebration this coming Saturday.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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