Breast cancer screening for younger women encouraged, amid rising cases in Jamaica

HEALTHCARE EXPERTS are urging women to prioritise earlier breast cancer screening and regular check-ups.

Dr Kern Pemberton, a radiation oncologist affiliated with Sagicor Life, says while current guidelines recommend starting mammograms at age 40, recent data suggests the need for heightened awareness and early detection among younger women.

“Although there isn’t a significant national trend of younger diagnoses, there has been a noticeable increase in cases among younger women of African descent. This emphasises the need for earlier screenings and proactive health measures.”

The most current data from the Global Cancer Observatory released in 2022, shows that breast cancer was the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in Jamaica, accounting for 17.7 per cent of all new cancer cases. A total of 1,327 new cases were recorded, with 684 deaths. This makes breast cancer the most common cancer among women.

Dr Pemberton also highlighted the importance of self-examinations and regular clinical breast exams, particularly for women who are not yet within the typical screening age range. “Self-examinations are super important. Many times, lumps are discovered through this method rather than mammograms, especially for younger women who don’t fall within the screening age group,” he explained.

Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox

Sign up for The Gleaner’s morning and evening newsletters.

Additionally, Dr Pemberton recommends that women with dense breast tissue, or those who are younger, should consider adding ultrasounds to their screening regimen. “Ultrasounds are usually recommended alongside mammograms for younger women or those with dense breast tissue, as mammograms alone may not always detect abnormalities,” she added.

Early detection plays a critical role in treatment outcomes. “It has been statistically shown that earlier stages of breast cancer have better survival rates. Early detection can also reduce the need for aggressive treatments, such as chemotherapy, in cases where there is no lymph node spread,” said Dr Pemberton.

BREAKING THE 5% CLUB

With the disease being one of the top killers in the country, Sagicor remains dedicated to promoting breast health awareness and early detection through various initiatives.

For October, the company announced the launch of its 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, The 5% Club, an initiative designed to raise awareness and increase the number of women in Jamaica who get screened for breast cancer. Currently, less than five per cent of eligible women are getting screened, and Sagicor is on a mission to change this statistic by encouraging early detection that can save lives.

For more information about the 5% Club, visit sagicor.info/5percentclub.