BREAST cancer remains one of the most pressing health concerns facing Jamaican women. It continues to be the second most common cancer overall and the leading cancer among women, accounting for approximately one-third of all female cancers. Despite increased awareness, far too many women are still being diagnosed at late stages, when treatment becomes more complex, survival rates are poorer, and the financial and emotional strain are devastating.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this year’s Pink Run, we must also confront the urgent realities of breast cancer in Jamaica,” said Roshane Reid-Koomson, executive director of the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS).

“At the Jamaica Cancer Society, we face the daily reality that every new case begins with a screening, which underscores why early detection must remain a national priority. National estimates show that fewer than 20 per cent of women who should be screened annually are actually getting screened,” she added.

“This should alarm us all. What about the other 80 per cent? These are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and colleagues who are not being reached in time. Every missed screening is a missed opportunity for early detection and a greater risk of a life being cut short.”

The issue, however, goes beyond awareness. It is also deeply rooted in accessibility. While mammography is one of the most effective screening methods for early detection, barriers such as cost, availability and accessibility continue to prevent many women from accessing the service.

“We must work toward removing the barriers that prevent women from being screened,” Reid-Koomson said. “The question we must truly ask is this: are mammograms affordable and accessible?”

The lack of routine screening, she explained, remains another one of the country’s greatest challenges. Reid-Koomson recounted her experience with a 64-year-old woman at the Jamaica Cancer Society who had never done a mammogram in her entire life.

“She went to her general practitioner for a routine check, and the doctor asked if she had ever done a mammogram. She said no. What shocked me most was her lack of urgency for her own health. After all these years, there was still no sense of immediacy around taking this vital step.”

That experience, she said, was not an isolated case but a reflection of a national pattern.

“The issue is the lack of routine screening. Women are showing up mostly when there is already a cause for concern, and by then, the road ahead is often more difficult.”

According to Jamaica’s National Screening Guidelines, women between 40 and 70 years old must be screened annually. However, women under 40 who have a family history of breast cancer are advised to begin earlier. These guidelines are designed to detect breast cancer before it advances, but adherence remains inconsistent.

Reid-Koomson believes the solution lies in a sustained national effort that prioritises prevention.

“We cannot out-treat cancer; we simply do not have the resources,” she said. “But what we can do, and what we must do, is detect cancer earlier. Early detection saves lives, reduces costs, and gives our women a fighting chance of survival.”

To bridge the gap between awareness and action, the Jamaica Cancer Society continues to expand its outreach and partnerships. This year, the organisation will host the Early Detection Saves Lives Radio Telethon under the theme Check It. Catch It. Beat It on Tuesday, October 28. The event aims to raise awareness and resources to ensure that more women access screening routinely, not only when symptoms appear.

In addition to advocacy, strategic partnerships have helped reduce the cost barrier to screening. Recently, the Jamaica Cancer Society became a provider under the National Health Fund (NHF) Diagnostic Mammogram Programme, which offers a $3,000 subsidy on each mammogram done at the JCS by NHF cardholders, a move Reid-Koomson described as transformative.

“This is a game-changer, helping to make screening even more accessible and affordable for Jamaican women,” she said. “We are deeply grateful to Mr Everton Anderson and his team for their tireless work to reduce the burden of healthcare costs and improve access to essential services for Jamaicans.”

This year’s Pink Run marks its 25th anniversary, a testament to community strength and sustained advocacy. Yet, as Reid-Koomson reflected, it is also a reminder of the work still to be done.

“Every step we take is not just a fund-raiser,” she said. “It is an act of solidarity, of reaching hearts and restoring hope. Together, we are not only raising funds, but also raising awareness, saving lives, and standing with every family impacted by breast cancer.”

The message is clear: while treatment remains vital, early detection remains the most effective path to saving lives. As the Jamaica Cancer Society continues to push for greater access, education and screening, the call to action is simple but urgent: Detect cancer earlier to defeat it.

Roshane Reid-Koomson, executive director of Jamaica Cancer Society.

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