Saint Lucia has joined up with the international community to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The awareness campaign aims to encourage the public to take a proactive approach to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of breast cancer.

To this end, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations has initiated a number of activities, the highlight of which is a “Dress In Pink” activity scheduled for every Friday of the month up until Oct. 17.

“For this activity, staff from the Ministry of Health who choose to participate, will do so in honor of breast cancer month,” Wellina Jaria, Family Life Educator of the Bureau of Health Education said. “We are also distributing small pink corsages, and have decorated our offices in pink. This is all to create awareness, interest and curiosity that will generate a conversation about breast cancer,” she said. “Many of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. In Saint Lucia, it is the most common cancer among women with an increase, of late, among men.”

The Health Ministry is encouraging other ministries, as well as the private sector to get on board in order to generate awareness and interest about the disease.

During the month, public-health workers will host educational sessions at wellness centers throughout the island and encourage clients to conduct breast self examinations. Radio talk shows, both in English and Creole are organized for Oct. 28 and 29 on Radio Saint Lucia—Sante Nous at 7:30 p.m., and Pressure Point at 11 a.m. respectively.

Public-health workers will also attend educational sessions tailored specifically for them.

“We do not want our health workers to be left out, so we have organized a breast self exam clinic for workers at the Ministry of Health on Oct. 17,” Ms. Jaria said. “On Oct. 20, one of our own will speak about her late mother’s experience with breast cancer."

“What we would like is for the rest of the public service and also the private service to join us on this challenge over the next two Fridays, Oct. 10 and 17. Dress in pink,” Christy Butcher, Family Life Educator at the Ministry of Health said. “Our aim is to educate the public and encourage them to take steps to prevent breast cancer.”