Braving the challenges of breast cancer: A survivor speaks

Participants at a breast cancer awareness walk

Love, compassion, affection, feminine energy, motherhood, youthfulness, peace, spiritual healing, relieved tension, emotional healing and harmony are some words that are symbolic with the colour pink. On the health scene, the pink ribbon represents breast cancer awareness.
The pink ribbon in general identifies the wearer with breast cancer awareness and indicates expressions of support for women with the illness. In 1991, the Susan G Koman Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City Race for breast cancer survivors.
The story of breast cancer gone undetected can be a grave one, however, with early detection and treatment the illness can be eradicated so as to ensure a longer life. In Guyana, cancer of the breast is one of the most common types of cancers followed by ovarian and prostate cancer.
Awareness is one of the key elements which lead to early detection of breast cancer. In this regard, October is designated as breast cancer awareness month and over the years, the Health Ministry in Guyana has been hosting seminars and fitness walks. This year, a vigil will be held to honour breast cancer survivors and those that have passed on.
The Health Ministry offers treatment at the Guyana Cancer Institute at a subsided cost.
Additionally, with support from Beauty and Home Systems Inc, AVON and the Guyana Cancer Institute are able to provide free mammograms to women. This exercise will be continuing in November.
October 19 was designated as ‘Wear it Pink Friday’, an observance that saw members of several organisations wearing pink, indicating their support for women with breast cancer.
Denise McCurdy, a surviving breast cancer patient and teacher of 34 years was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 while preparing for a surgery of a different nature.
Her story is one of courage and determination. Dealing with any illness can be a challenge for an individual much less the family.
McCurdy, after having the surgery which saw the removal of one of her breasts, had  to face some hardships in the early stages of her situation, nevertheless, having to deal with a severed relationship did not keep her from living life the way she intended to.
Today, McCurdy lives for her students and offers moral support to other women who are skeptical of seeking treatment for breast cancer.
She is, by no means, living a life of suffering since she attributes her very existence to Christ. Apart from her spiritual affirmation, McCurdy acknowledges that maintaining a good diet has also changed her outlook on being healthy.

Origin
Breast cancer originates from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or lobules that supply the ducts with milk. The most common sign of breast cancer is the detection of a lump in the breast or lymph nodes, in the armpits.
Other indications may include one breast becoming larger or lower, a nipple changing position, skin puckering or dimpling, discharge from nipple(s), and constant pain in part of the breast or armpit. In this regard, self-examination is essential.
In the past, being diagnosed with breast cancer was likened to the HIV/AIDS virus since the necessary diagnostic equipment and advanced treatment were unavailable. However, that has changed and due to investments by the government, women all across Guyana have a better chance of survival.
The most common diagnostic methods to confirm breast cancer are pap-smears, mammograms and biopsy while X-rays, ultrasounds, CT or bone scans allow tissues, organs and bones to be looked at in more detail.
Common risk factors include family history of breast and ovarian cancer, hormone replacement therapy, dense breast tissue, obesity, alcohol consumption and the use of hormonal contraceptives.
In 2010, 25 breast cancer patients were treated, and in 2011, 30 patients received treatment at the Guyana Cancer Institute.
Surgeries such as lumpectomy, quadrantectomy, mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection are the most common surgeries for breast cancer. They are combined with radiation therapy, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.
The Guyana Cancer Association and the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre’s orthotic and prosthetic department, together, are manufacturing breast prosthesis (artificial breast), at a low cost for women who have had a mastectomy. It is hoped that this will restore a woman’s confidence and remove the visibility or lack of a breast.
For men, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about one in 1000. Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that affects males.
Men have breast tissue just like women, and can develop breast cancer. Breast health starts with knowing your breasts so that you are more likely to notice changes that may lead to problems. The most frequently diagnosed kind of breast cancer in men is found in the breast ducts (ductal carcinoma). Common symptoms are a small, painless lump close in the breast and a small discharge from the nipple; these are similar to the symptoms experienced by women.