It’s that time of the year again… Pink October 2021 is finally with us! As you may already know, October is the month dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness, the month where across the world we remind each other about the impact of breast cancer on women.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer site amongst women in Malta, having both the highest incidence rate as well as the highest mortality rate amongst all female cancer sites. While the main cause of breast cancer remains unknown to this day, there are risk factors which, when present, increase the chance of developing breast cancer. Risk factors include: a family history of breast cancer, being of older age, having a past history of non-cancerous lump/s, having had past breast cancer diagnosis, as well as being overweight or obese and consuming alcohol excessively.
If you have an increased risk for developing breast cancer, it is best that you avoid alcohol, exercise frequently so as to keep your weight within the normal range, and consume less saturated fat such as whole milk products, lard, chicken skin, butter etc. (NHS, 2019).
If detected early, breast cancer can be treated before it spreads to other parts within the body, which is why it is important to visit your GP immediately should you have any related concerns.
In Malta, a government-funded breast cancer screening programme was introduced back in October 2009, where women between the age of 50 and 69 are invited for a free mammogram every 2 years, which is evaluated by two different radiologists. In case of uncertainty, a recall would be offered an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy. (For more information about the breast screening programme you may contact NSP by email on [email protected], by phone on 21227470/1, or on their Facebook page National Health Screening Centre).
Let us all rise together to help uplift women in need. It is important for each of us to show compassion and understanding towards those of us facing cancer or undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer and cancer treatment affect body image as well as quality of life, leading to fear and anxiety in those directly affected by them, as well as their family and friends. An easy way to support and to show these women that they are not alone is to wear pink during the month of October.
Hospice Malta Initiative for Pink October 2021
This Pink October 2021, Hospice Malta, which seeks to provide and promote palliative care services to patients suffering from cancer among other diseases, is encouraging local businesses as well as the community to donate €1 for breast cancer patients by participating in the Hospice Malta Pink October initiative. Donations will allow Hospice Malta to continue helping patients and their families by allowing them to provide their range of services including home care, daily therapy unit, hydrotherapy, bereavement support, care assistant services, loan of specialised equipment, after hours on-call services and patient transport. Donations will also be going towards the building of St Michael Hospice – the new Hospice complex which is expected to open in late 2022. For more information on how you can help Hospice assist those who need their services the most, visit www.hospicemalta.org or call (+356) 21440085.
Let us rally to support those women among us who have received a diagnosis, be it recently or years ago; women who are currently caring for loved ones with breast cancer, and women who are mourning their loved ones; women who are currently awaiting results, praying that their symptoms are not due to breast cancer.
References
Department of Health Information and Research (2019). Female Breast Cancer. Malta National Cancer Registry. Accessed on 6th October 2020 at https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/dhir/Documents/Cancer/2020/cancers%20pdfs/Breast_2017.pdf
Hospice Malta (2021). Hospice Malta encourages businesses and the community to donate €1 for Pink October. Accessed on 2nd October 2021 at https://hospicemalta.org/news/hospice-malta-encourages-businesses-and-the-community-to-donate-e1-for-pink-october/
NHS (2019). Breast cancer in women. Accessed on 6th October 2020 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer/
Claire Galea is a mum of three currently reading for a Degree in Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, as a mature student. She is keen about holistic patient-centered care as well as public education about health-related subjects, which she frequently writes about on Wham as a Content Writer and Website Editor.
Claire is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. She is the author of two downloadable ebooks, namely Heal Your Life Forever and 5 Simple Steps To Creating The Life Of Your Dreams.
Click here to check out Claire’s full bio as well as a list of all her Wham published articles
