Early cancer detection saving lives

The number of young women in Barbados being diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing, while more women are surviving because of early detection of the disease.
Making this disclosure yesterday, medical co-ordinator of the Barbados Cancer Society’s Breast Screening Programme Dr Shirley Jaghroo said more women below age 40 – significantly women in their late 20s – were being diagnosed with breast cancer, though the highest incidence of the disease remained among women in the 50 to 65 age group.
Dr Jaghroo stressed that early detection increased the chances of survival and she said men were also beginning to respond to education on breast cancer.
“We have had a very good response from men over the last three years . . . . We found that men are asking questions,” Jaghroo reported, adding that less than one per cent had been diagnosed with the disease.
That statistic remained constant, the doctor said. (GC)