Health Region 4 Walk To Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Saint Lucia – Residents from Micoud and surrounding communities recently joined forces and united to show support and celebrate breast cancer survivors and fighters with a 5k walk in the community of Micoud.

The 5k walk which commenced at the Micoud Wellness Centre ended at Verge Point with an exercise and aerobics session by a fitness instructor.

This activity provided community members with an opportunity to be part of the powerful movement to raise awareness and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

As part of ensuring early diagnosis and screening for breast cancer, women were provided with breast examinations and to take advantage of mammography services available at NO COST under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Registered Nurse Mickelle Bicar says in response to the rising breast cancer rates in Saint Lucia, the walk serves as a great activity to honor breast cancer survivors and fighters in the community and to also increase awareness of early detection and risk factors. “As you may know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we have a lot of clients in the community who are diagnosed and we the nurses know about, who are being treated and also survivors. So we want to make them feel that we know, we care, we are there and we are also helping in the process, we are helping in the fight. Even though, we may not be there physically but emotionally we there; they are in our thoughts, in our minds and we just wanted our presence known in the community and in the region as well.”

Participant from the community of Mon Repos Andrew Ferdinand praised the walk and physical activity and committed to continue supporting. “I took part in it last year and really enjoyed the walking, exercising and meeting new friends, more people. So that’s why I took part in it this year and I feel more comfortable this year because it had a little more people and it was nice and I always enjoy it. The exercise is good and I will try to take part in it every time they have it as long as I can.”

Health Educator Shirlan Edward encouraged community members to utilize the services available at the Community Wellness Centres and get regular screening for breast cancer. “Come out, do your screening because early detection can save your life. If you are a survivor, I would like you to encourage other persons to get screened because screening actually helps persons be aware of what is happening. When you come in, it is not for persons to just know you have breast cancer. We are not screening to get breast cancer or get cancers. We are screening so that you understand where you start; what you start doing so at least you will be able to go through the steps of treating yourself and managing the condition. So, we are asking to not just screen only in October but we are asking persons to come out; the Wellness Centres are there, the service is free so come out and do your screenings. If you are not able to come this month, we are open throughout the week so that you can come in and get screened. Bring a friend, bring someone and explained to them, talk to them about breast cancer and breast screening so that they too can get screened.”