The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar has been promoting breast cancer awareness throughout the month of October.
She has been encouraging women and girls to get screenings for breast cancer at their nearest health care facility and also family members to look after their loved ones well. She said that the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer has risen sharply over the past year because many women delayed screenings for fear of cancer treatment.
"The push to increase screenings is part of this year's breast cancer awareness month in October and will continue. The month-long activities educate women to reduce their breast cancer risks, be screened and seek medical attention if a suspicious lump is detected. Women must get regular screening for breast cancer and increasing numbers show that the awareness is working and more women are getting medical attention."
Minister Akbar highlighted that screening programs with mammography can lead to earlier diagnosis, and that coupled with effective treatment, will lead to reductions in breast cancer mortality. "When a women dies, the whole family is severly affected and we can change that," she added.
Minister Akbar concluded her Pinktober Awareness by visiting cancer victims' and cancer survivors' families to hand over some food items as a form of support to these families, and personally engage with them to hear their challenges.
Emelina Vakarewa, a 33-year-old from Kiuva Village in Tailevu said that her mother and her two sisters passed away due to breast cancer. "I am now the guardian for my sisters’ six children and its been a privilege taking care of them. I thank Minister Akbar and her team for providing this assistance and the words of encouragement given to me. She has brought a smile to the faces of these children. I usually encourage women in our village, work place and my friends to get screened and to take care of themselves. We women should prioritise our health and lives as we are a key member of a family."
Sitalina Waqa, a 42-year-old, breast cancer survivor of Nakasi, was pleasantly surprised by the visit from Minister Akbar. She particularly acknowledged the support shown by her husband and two daughters when she was diagnosed with cancer.
"I encourage all women and girls to get screened regularly and to follow the advice from healthcare workers. I thank the Minister for Women for promoting awareness on Cancer for women at the grassroots level".
Also part of the visitation were officers from the Department of Women and Fiji Cancer Society.