PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Women are being called upon to register and sign-up as soon as possible for the next free breast abnormalities and health screening exam/survey which is set for Saturday, April 6th.
In order to participate in the screenings, you need to register as it is based on appointment. You can call or email: 554-4532 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The screening is carried out on scheduled Saturdays between 8.30am to 3.00pm. In addition to the scheduled date of April 6, April 13this also scheduled.
The examination is a collaborative effort by the Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), the Positive Foundation, and the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), the latter, is lead research agency.
The first survey for 2019 took place on Saturday, March 23 where 26 women participated. The women received an overall health assessment where their height, weight to calculate Body Mass Index was taken; blood pressure, heart rate; visual acuity, blood glucose and cholesterol were taken.
The clinical breast examination was carried out by Oncologist Dr. Chobanyan.
The 26 women in attendance received a presentation about the risk factors for breast cancer, including information regarding modifiable risk factors that can help to reduce the overall breast cancer risk; assessment of individual breast cancer risk via Gail model, and the distribution of breast cancer awareness brochures to take home.
The screenings target population are women 18+ years of age and the target number is 500 women. Scheduling of the screening opportunities will continue considering all circumstances until the identified number and more is achieved.
The screenings take place at the Vineyard Office Park Building in Philipsburg at the CPS Offices.
Breast abnormalities represent a large spectrum of disorders including benign, congenital, hormonal and malignancies such as breast cancer.
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.
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.
