The original article can be found in: Antigua Observer By Theresa Gordon
St. John’s Antigua- Head of a local cancer support group has expressed “shock and outrage” that women in Antigua & Barbuda are currently unable to get a mammogram – to screen for breast cancer – anywhere in the country.
The Daily Observer reported this week that women cannot presently access mammography at any of the three facilities which usually provide it.
“This is very frightening and I am very much concerned and I believe the authorities should do something about it in the case of Mount St John where many people go to access such service,” said President of Breast Friends Eunetta Bird.
Mammogram screenings are conducted at the hospital, Belmont Clinic and Medical Surgical Associates. The machines at both private institutions are not working while the hospital’s lone technician is on leave.
It means that women wanting a routine test, recommended in many countries for all females over 40, or to check a suspicious lump are unable to be screened.A mammogram is the initial screening a doctor conducts to detect abnormalities in the breast. It is currently the most effective method to detect early stages of breast cancer – the most common form of the disease in women.
Bird, who first learnt of the development in Thursday’s Daily Observer, described it as totally unacceptable.
The article highlighted the case of a female who visited each of the three facilities to probe a suspicious lump but was told to leave her name and number because the screening would have to be done at a later date.
“It is not right to the taxpayers of this country; how many of us have the means to fly to Puerto Rico or other countries to get the job done?” the president said.
Women are being advised that, in the absence of a mammogram, an ultrasound of the breast could be conducted to determine the exact size of a lump. A biopsy would be the next step to determine if the lump is cancerous.
Bird said women with a suspect lump who are waiting to be screened should return to their doctor for further advice.
Meanwhile, Bird warned that a negative mammogram does not always mean an individual is cancer free.
She said in more than one case people with a negative result were later diagnosed with the illness.
On Wednesday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Rhonda Sealy Thomas also expressed concern about the current situation. The hospital’s technician is due back on island in a few weeks.
