The Samoa Cancer Society has highlighted the growth in the number of younger women and girls diagnosed with breast cancer, including a 9-year-old patient.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Dinner of Mothers Daughters & Sisters, vice president of SCS, Tauiliili Alise Stunnenberg spoke of the worrying numbers among women and girls.
Tauiliili said, the SCS has done over 100 community campaigns, reaching over 4,000 participants over the last three years raising awareness on breast cancer and general cancer.
“Sadly, we lost 13 breast cancer patients and 58 cancer patients in the last year.”
She said that they, now, have five news cases of young girls under 19-years going through diagnosis, including the 9-year-old girl.
Tauiliili stressed the key message of early detection, emphasizing that this leads to the best outcomes for the everyone.
The organization is still in need of one more patient support officer.
“Their work is crucial in providing service, especially to those patients who are in Stage 4 to ease their discomfort,” said the president.
SCS is recognized by the World Health Organization and has established partnerships with relevant regional and international organizations, through which it has received much-needed resources and support.
The dinner at Taumeasina Island Resort was another way to fundraise for the society’s much needed resources.
The program included testimonies from cancer survivors Elaine Silva and Magalie Lameloise, who shared their experiences of being diagnosed with cancer and the challenges they endured.
SCS Chief Executive Officer Papalii John Ryan, announced that a new Facebook page called “Pink Ladies of Samoa”, has been created for women of Samoa who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
