KINGSTON, Jamaica— Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr Milton Hardie is urging Jamaican women to seek early screening for breast cancer due to a rise in cases, particularly among those aged 35-44.

Dr Hardie made this disclosure at a recent forum focused on breast cancer and other critical illnesses, held at the S Hotel in Kingston.

In a press release on Friday, Dr Hardie highlighted that one in eight Jamaican women is at risk of developing breast cancer, which is among the highest rates globally.

He recommended early detection as the most effective approach to combating the disease, including breast self-examinations for indicators such as lumps or nipple discharge, along with mammograms and ultrasound scans.

“If detected at the zero stage there will be complete recovery, while there is a good chance of full recovery at stage two of the condition. The risk is most acute at stages three and four,” Hardie said.

The release cited studies by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, published in the JCO Global Oncology Journal in 2020, which analysed breast cancer mortality between 2010 and 2014. These studies found that “breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among Jamaican women… with 1,634 breast cancer-related deaths documented among Jamaican women between 2010 and 2014, accounting for 24 per cent of all female cancer deaths.”

The report further noted that “the age-standardised breast cancer mortality rate rose from 21.8 per 100,000 in 2010 to 28 per 100,000 in 2014 among the total female population.”

It also highlighted that “the highest annual percentage change in breast cancer mortality was observed in the 35 to 44 and 65 to 74/75-year-old age groups,” indicating an earlier age of onset than previously reported.

Dr Hardie also pointed out that with advances in medical technology, less invasive treatments are being developed. For instance, a lumpectomy to remove malignant lumps can be performed before the cancer spreads, reducing the need for mastectomy, or full breast removal.

He observed that Jamaican women tend to have denser breast tissue, which has been linked to a higher incidence of cancer.

Dr Hardie also noted that men should perform self-checks, as an estimated one per cent of Jamaican males are affected by breast cancer.

Forum convenor and Insurance Advisor Dollis Campbell echoed the importance of early detection and encouraged attendees to protect themselves from high cancer treatment costs by purchasing health insurance, such as the new Guardian Ultimate Provider plan. This critical illness policy offers both investment options and financial assistance, with a minimum assured sum of $3 million.