TWO hundred and eight (208) free mammograms (breast cancer screening) were completed in October/November 2012 at the Cancer Institute of Guyana with the provision of resources by the Avon Community Help Fund. General Manager of the Cancer Institute, Ms. Fiona Legall, thus disclosed in a telephone interview with this publication yesterday, when she also said that out of this total, eighty three (83) showed no signs of the presence of breast cancer; one hundred and twenty (120) showed benign readings; three showed breast cysts, and two had malignant findings.

This free breast cancer screening was offered from October to December 2012, and Ms. Legall noted that the Institute is currently compiling statistics for the month of December.

The service was offered to the Guyanese public as part of the breast cancer awareness activities for October 2012, held under the theme “Early detection helps saves lives”; but because everyone could not be facilitated during that month, the service was extended to November and December.

The screenings were done at the Institute, situated in the compound of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and were conducted from Monday to Friday during the hours of 1.00pm (13:00hrs) to 4.00 pm (16:00hrs).  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) regards breast cancer as the top cancer in women both in the developed and in the developing world. Due to the increased life expectancy, increased urbanization and adoption of Western lifestyles, incidences of breast cancer are increasing in the developing world.

The WHO states that early detection, in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival, remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.

The key strategy of population-based breast cancer control is raising general public awareness on the breast cancer problem and the mechanisms to control, as well as advocating for appropriate policies and programmes.