The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of the disease. If visiting Aruba this month you will most probably be confronted with fund raising for breast cancer foundations in the streets or supermarkets.
Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women and the second most common cancer overall. There were over 2 million new cases in 2018. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising steadily in the last years due to increases in life expectancy, urbanization and the adoption of western lifestyles.
Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relieve the suffering of patients and their families is needed.
According to research, Aruba does not differ much from the rest of world. Annually there are about 65 new breast cancer cases detected on Aruba. The women affected are between the ages of 45 – 75 and more than 50% are between the ages of 45 – 64 years. 27% of all the new breast cancer cases is detected among women between the ages of 65 – 75.
In Aruba there are several organizations you can recur to for whatever questions or information you might need such as Mary- Joan Foundation Aruba, Stichting BOB and Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds Aruba.
All these foundations are there to give patients and their family support during this difficult stage of life. These organizations have been working hard during the whole year by organizing different activities for breast cancer awareness. Stichting BOB welcomes you to support them with participation in their Full Moon Walk coming Saturday, October 12. They gather at Baby Beach in San Nicolas where the walk starts at 7 PM. Tickets are available at IBISA (Facebook ibisa aruba). Bring your water bottle and flashlight and join them to support this good cause. Stichting BOB’s goal is to promote early detection of breast cancer by screening healthy women between 45-75 years.
For more information contact these organizations at:
Mary- Joan Foundation Aruba, Telephone +297 589-9999 or Facebook Mary Joan Foundation Aruba
Stichting BOB, Telephone +297 588-1212 or Facebook Stichting BOB Aruba
Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds Aruba, Telephone +297 582-0412 or Facebook Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds Aruba
Know that you are not alone there is always someone there to help you get through this tough time. q
