Expand cancer awareness beyond breast cancer focus – advocate

A health campaigner warned Thursday that emphasis on breast cancer screening may overlook other deadly diseases affecting Barbadians.

Sharon Cadogan, trustee of the Victorious Warriors cancer support group, said that while increased attention on breast cancer was welcome, other cancers including ovarian and colon cancer were not receiving sufficient focus.

Speaking on the sidelines of the National Library Service’s lunchtime discussion, Breast Cancer and You, Cadogan told Barbados TODAY: “Now that breast cancer is in the focus, you are finding that more and more people are looking to [test] themselves for [breast cancer] but not the other cancers.”

Her comments followed personal testimonies from several group members about their cancer treatment experiences.

“We have ladies with different types of cancers; obviously if the [recognition] is always about breast cancer, they tend to feel a way. We are one of those groups who believe that we need to offer support to other types of cancers,” the cancer support advocate declared.

“If we start to have the same [attention being paid] to the other types of cancers as we have with breast cancer, people will come forward to get tested for those cancers.” 

Cadogan emphasised that their support group welcomes all cancer patients, including men. 

“We support each other throughout our journeys with cancer. We’ve had persons who’ve had colon cancer, we’ve had persons who have thyroid cancer. So it’s not just breast cancer survivors, we welcome everybody including the men who would wish to join.”

Director of the National Library Service, Jennifer Yarde reinforced the importance of comprehensive cancer support: “It is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, treatment, and support for those affected by this condition. That support is paramount for overcoming the disease,”

She added that Breast Cancer Awareness Month remains a significant event in the library’s calendar, highlighting both women’s health challenges and their crucial societal role. (SB)