Breast Care Support Group launches 'Health Diary'

President of the support group Gertrude Abela opened the event, which was attended by Mrs Gonzi, Mrs Muscat and other female members of parliament and politicians wives.

Abela is a breast cancer survivor of 11 years and volunteers twice a week at the breast cancer clinic at Mater Dei Hospital. She stressed the importance of breast self examination and screening:

“We have constantly advocated for women to talk to their doctors immediately if they notice something unusual. This is because it has been proven that when breast cancer is detected at an early stage, the chances of survival are much higher.”

The opening speech was followed by a short talk given by Antionette Attard, a specialist breast care nurse who explained further the importance of being breast aware.

She emphasised that although the incidence of breast cancer has increased over the years the mortality rate has decreased due to increased awareness and proper screening.

Many women at high risk age are being screened regularly, however she insists that between mammograms it is important to perform self examinations to ensure there has been no change in size or shape of the breast and that the nipple has not changed at all.

She stresses the importance of self examinations for women from an early age and recommends educational classes be put into the school curriculum to avoid women being to afraid to perform self checks and screenings.

She also encourages women to eat healthily, and take regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight which reduces the risk of breast cancer. Other risk factors include genetics, where women with direct family members who have contracted breast cancer at a young age (under 50) are at higher risk.