The original article can be found in: The Freeport News By Sharell Lockhart
The Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) department of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) was pleased to have Minister of Health, Dr. Perry Gomez, officially commission a state of the art digital mammography machine yesterday at Davies House.
The Hologic Selenia Dimensions digital mammography machine is the only modality that is regulated in the United States, which harnesses the power of Tomosynthesis technology and is the latest advancement in breast health care.
According to statistical data collected on Tomosynthesis technology, a significantly positive impact on breast cancer screenings and diagnosis has been made in recent times thanks to the Selenia Dimensions system as it helps to find cancer earlier or detect cancers that may have been missed using traditional 2D mammography alone.
The use of this technology has provided a 27 percent improvement in cancer detection rates, with a 40 percent increase in invasive cancer detection.
Minister Gomez in his address revealed the Bahamas Government is committed to the fight against cancer especially as it regards breast cancer and cancer of the cervix, hence, great emphasis is being placed on the enhancement of women’s health care in the country.
Currently, there are only two Hologic Selenia Dimensions Digital Mammography Machines outside the United States of America Minister Gomez revealed, one at Princess Margaret Hospital and the other at the Rand Memorial Hospital.
“Most of us here today knows someone who has had breast cancer, in fact, I personally have lost my niece almost three years ago at the tender age of 37 due to this disease.
“Breast cancer in The Bahamas has been well studied by local and international professional consultants and it has been revealed that breast cancer manifests earlier in Bahamians due to a genetic mutation of the BRAC1/BRAC2 gene.
“While breast cancer peaks at age 62 for American women, the disease is most prevalent at age 42 in Bahamian women and the study concludes that at the time of diagnosis the cancer is more advanced when compared to our American counterparts.
“This gene is hereditary and sadly we have seen breast cancer present itself in Bahamian women as young as 20 years old so we must not adopt the USA’s screening guidelines which suggests women begin breast cancer screening at age 40.
“It has become imperative that new breast screening guidelines must be set for Bahamian women, we have to begin screening earlier and it must be done with the state of the art machinery so as to detect lumps before persons even feel them.
“This is the advantage of the Hologic Selenia Dimensions Digital Mammography machine,” said Minister Gomez.
The health chief also discussed the importance of knowing one’s BRAC1/BRAC2 gene status as it not only predisposes women to breast cancer but ovarian cancer as well.
“Early detection is key to saving lives and education of our women and men is a must.“An annual mammogram is vital for all women and furthermore monthly self-breast examinations by women is imperative so that any and all changes can be observed and dealt with.
“Those with a family history of the disease must be ever vigilant and ensure their physician is aware of this fact as inherited breast cancer stands at 27 percent in all women tested in comparison to three percent in the United States.
“In September of last year my ministry launched a breast cancer program entering into public/private collaborative with Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas.
“Local breast cancer NGOs and the Susan G. Komen Foundation and other stakeholders have worked together to advance breast cancer prevention programs throughout The Bahamas inclusive of the establishment of policy guidelines in respect to breast cancer and breast health.
“This committee has been diligent in its work to increase the rate of early breast cancer detection, possibly significantly reducing the mortality rate and through the success of the mammography program help will be rendered to establish the minimum age for breast cancer screening and guidelines and initiating provider public education which will be done through funds given by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group,” Minister Gomez revealed.
The GBHS, PHA, Cancer Society of the Bahamas, other affiliates, insurance companies and medical professionals were commended for their role in the fight against cancer in all its forms by Minister Gomez who said the commissioning of the digital mammography machine and the mammogram unit at Davies House is a great experience.
Due to the commissioning of the new machine in Nassau the wait for mammogram screening has been eradicated and the same will be realized on Grand Bahama.
The health chief revealed that the Bahamas government remains committed to the fight against cancer and encourages others in the fight to keep up the good work and even more who have not yet joined the fight to do so as well.Katrina Hodge a 17-year cancer survivor cut the ribbon to the upgrade mammography unit at Davies House and Apostle Anne Grant president of Sister Sister Breast Cancer support Group and a 36-year cancer survivor unveiled the plaque to the examination room where the Hologic Selenia Dimensions Digital Mammography Machine is stored.
Clinical director of radiology at GBHS Dr. Delbueno Codilla along with vice chairman of the PMH Foundation Richard Demeritte expressed their pleasure with the new digital mammography machine noting that the fight against breast cancer has greatly improved by the state of the art technology.
Government officials, including Minister for Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville, honorable senators Tanisha Tynes, Julian Russell, Frank Smith, GBHS and PHA officials, doctors and nurses and distinguished businessmen and clergymen attending the commissioning ceremony all agreed the dawn of a new day in the advancement of women’s health has arrived and they too are resolved to join the fight.
