As part of its Cancer Month awareness activities, the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Bhagwans Optical observed annual breast cancer day with a mini-health fair yesterday outside of the Ministry of Home Affairs building on Brickdam.
This partnership was facilitated through several departments of the Ministry of Health including the AIDS/HIV, Food and Nutrition, Counselling, and Optometry departments. The event served to encourage both the public and staff to get breast cancer tests conducted on-site. Dr Shakeila Ramsammy who is attached to the Health Ministry, provided insights into breast cancer. She explained what breast cancer is and the difference between benign and malignant tumors. She also focused on the importance of cell treated examination as a key method for early detection of breast cancer. A volunteer was used to demonstrate the breast examination process, starting from the external part of the breast including, touching and feeling for lumps and checking for abnormal discharge. She noted the importance of knowing one’s normal discharge in order to identify any abnormalities and mentioned the different breast examination positions, including the, “divine position” for larger breasts. She stressed that “both sides of the breast, including the armpit area are to be examined thoroughly.”
