‘Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer’

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez underscored the importance of early detection in the fight against the most common type of cancer among CNMI women.

“We want to spread the word to the community about early detection, especially those with family members who have had cancer. Early detection can [help one] survive this disease,” Villagomez said.

Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores signed Friday the proclamation designating October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Stomp Out Breast Cancer.”

Villagomez said that educating and informing the public about breast cancer awareness is one thing. “An equally important part is for women to be more on top of things and come in… I hope that women do access preventive services.”

According to Villagomez, both breast cancer and cervical cancer are “unfortunately quite deadly” if they remain undetected at their early stages.

“But if detected enough, the survivability rate is extremely high and we’re hoping that men support women to get early detection,” he added.

Flores, who echoed Villagomez’s message, urged women in the community to make an appointment with medical professionals to get detected for this “horrific” and “deadly” disease.

“We want to pass on the message on breast cancer awareness not only this month but everyday of our lives,” added Flores.

The mayor’s conference room in Afetna was suffused with a pink glow Friday as DPH and mayor’s office staffers, community partners, and breast cancer survivors wore pink shirts and pink ribbons, the international symbol of breast cancer awareness.

Two candles were lit before the start of the proclamation signing: one for those affected by breast cancer and another for those who have already passed away.

Breast cancer survivors Bobby Ayres, Maggie Camacho, and Monica Manalo each read parts of the proclamation.

“Early detection is always best,” Manalo, a breast cancer survivor for 10 years, said in an interview. “Once you feel something isn’t right, get checked.”

Camacho said that early detection helped save her life—a mammogram back in 2004 helped detect the lump in her breast.

“You have to be aware of your body and what it tells you. Having positive attitude and faith in the Lord is also important,” she said. “I encourage every single woman in the community, whether or not there has been cancer in the family, that early detection is the best protection.”

Fernando P. Benavente, chair of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month Committee, said they have lined up several activities, including the Stomp Out Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 11 and 25, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm from Garapan Fishing Base to China House Restaurant and back; village screening on Oct. 7 at Horiguchi Bldg. and Oct. 15 at Kagman Village; and Celebrity Bagging on Oct. 8 and Oct. 22.

Benavente said there will be village screenings on Oct. 21 and 29 but the venue will be announced soon.

“Let’s all work together to stomp out breast cancer,” he added.