Saint Lucia asks people to participate in Pink Friday activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs are encouraging all Saint Lucians to participate in Pink Friday activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Saint Lucia asks people to participate in Pink Friday activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Saint Lucia asks people to participate in Pink Friday activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Castries, Saint Lucia: The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs are encouraging all Saint Lucians to participate in Pink Friday activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer Awareness month is an annual international health campaign, organised by major breast cancer charities every October, to raise awareness of the disease.

During a Sitting of the House of Assembly on Tuesday, Oct. 11, Minister for Health Moses Jn Baptiste gave some insight into the impact that the disease has on individuals and their lives.

“Breast cancer in Saint Lucia is the most common cancer found in women and contributes to the years of productivity loss due to disease and death,” he explained. “Worldwide, there are more lost disability-adjusted life years by women due to breast cancer than any other form of cancer. Breast cancer can also occur in men at any age but is more common after the age of 50. What is very important is that it is more women from the afro-ethnic group who die from breast cancer.”

The Minister continued by asking all to play a part during the month of awareness. “I wish to encourage Saint Lucians to join the Pink Friday activities. Every Friday, you can wear a pink tie, a pink top, or a pink blouse, or you can participate by calling the families of those who have passed away, sadly due to breast cancer, and any support that you can give will be welcomed,” he said.

For a full list of the activities outlined for Breast Cancer Awareness Month visit the Ministry of Health and Wellness – Saint Lucia on Facebook.

“The theme for this year’s observance is “Saint Lucia MOVES, MOVE to fight Breast Cancer”, with the acronym for MOVE being:

M- Mobilise schools, families, workplaces and communities

O- Offer and access screening services within our communities

V- Varied age-appropriate physical activity

E- Educate on breast health and healthy eating habits

The Activities for this year include:

1. Pink Fridays

Workplaces and communities are invited to dress in pink or decorate workstations or the main entrance in Pink with a message to generate visibility and demonstrate their championing of the cause of breast cancer prevention.

2. Community members are invited to access screening services at the various Wellness Centres around the island

3. Host a number of Breast health education seminars and screening activities throughout the month of October at workplaces.

4. Engaging our secondary school young ladies on Breast Health”