GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Saturday, August 05, the breast abnormalities and health screening will continue. The screenings target audience are women 18+ years of age. The screening is carried out between 9.00am to 2.30pm.
The screenings take place at the Vineyard Office Park Building in Philipsburg at the Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA).
CPS is one of three stakeholders which includes the Positive Foundation, and the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), the latter, is lead research agency.
To participate in the screening activity which is free, you can make an appointment by calling 545-2298 extension 404-2242. You can also email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Breast screenings will be carried out by an AUC physician; health screenings by AUC medical students and includes height, weight, vision, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure measurements.
There will also be an educational lecture on risk factors and a clinical presentation about breast cancer.
Breast abnormalities represent a large spectrum of disorders including benign, congenital, hormonal and malignancies such as breast cancer.
The purpose of this study is to screen for risk factors as well as estimate prevalence of breast abnormalities in the patient population of Sint Maarten.
Major risk factors for breast cancer in women are age, genetic predisposition, and hormonal imbalance. Breast density is also a significant factor, especially in women 40 to 49 years of age.
Clinical breast examinations followed by imaging studies such as mammography and ultrasound remain the mainstay of screening for breast cancer.
The purpose of the study is to gain insight into the types of breast abnormalities and risk factors in women 18 and above with no age cap in Sint Maarten.
For additional information, you can call CPS at 542-3003 or 542-2078.
