By Eulalee Thompson, Staff Reporter
Breast cancer rate is running high but a large chunk
of the Jamaican population has no idea what a mammogram
is and what it is supposed to do.
The gold standard in breast cancer detection is still the mammogram. Sometimes, it is shrouded in controversy it might not detect a true cancer or it might erroneously define a find as malignant when it is not. So, the breast X-ray is not perfect, but it promises an 85 per cent chance of finding a true breast cancer.
But, in spite of the mammogram's high performance as a diagnostic tool for breast cancer, a large chunk of the Jamaican population is still unaware of what a mammogram is and they don't have a clue about what it is supposed to do.
About 45 per cent of a representative survey sample (1,000 respondents) questioned by researchers at Market Research Services, on behalf of the Jamaica Cancer Society, on their level of cancer awareness, indicated that they were clueless about mammograms.
Another 10 per cent directly identified the X-ray as an examination of the breast and about 40 per cent said that it was an examination for cancer.
"It is truly distressing when 45 per cent of the persons spoken to, did not know what a mammogram was...well, even if we say that the mammogram hasn't been around for very long but the PAP smear examination, 36 per cent either didn't know what a PAP smear examination was or were not sure," said Marva Lee, Jamaica Cancer Society, administrative director. "It just means that we can't sit back...the whole campaign is important, screening is important but we have to focus heavily on education to get the screening."
The incidence of breast cancer runs high among Jamaica's women and is steadily increasing. Latest statistics from the Jamaica Cancer Registry, indicate an incidence rate of 627 per 100,000 population over the period 1993 to 1997 compared to 582 per 100,000 population in 1988 to 1992. The US National Cancer Institute also indicates that, besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among American women. Projections are that 211,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.
Besides, the poorly awareness level on mammograms, a significant number of the survey sample does not believe that they are at risk of developing cancer and furthermore, don't have a clue about the protective actions they can take to reduce their risk for cancer.
Nearly 58 per cent of the survey sample say that they are not at risk for developing cancer and 26 per cent of the sample couldn't identify the lifestyle adjustments such as proper dieting, regular exercising, limiting alcohol intake and one's exposure to tobacco smoke that could reduce their risk for the big "C".
CLINICAL EXAMINATION
The message from the Jamaica Cancer Society is early detection as woman's best defence:
Women should do your breast self-examination at the same time each month.
Have annual clinical examinations of the breasts by a physician
Do mammograms at least once a year if you are 40 or older.
The mammogram is able to detect lumps two years before they can be felt and as the main breast cancer screening tool currently available, is able to detect other breast abnormalities which may signal the presence of breast cancer.
WOMEN AT INCREASED RISK FOR BREAST CANCER
Are older than 50
Have a family history
of breast cancer
Had their first child after
age 30
Have never had children
Are obese (weighing 40
per cent more than their
ideal body weight).
