Moving Beyond Pink: Empower. Educate. Support – Critical Conversations about Breast Cancer Awareness

~ Contributed  Article ~

By Patrice Dwyer, Visionary & Managing Director of Navigating Health Services Ltd.

At the recent Pink Day event at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, I had the honor of serving as guest speaker, addressing this year’s World Health Organization theme, “No one should face breast cancer alone.” Breast cancer is the second most common cancer globally and the leading cancer in women, affecting 2.3 million people annually. In Jamaica, 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1000 men are impacted. I emphasized the importance of raising awareness across the continuum of care, particularly focusing on often-overlooked issues from diagnosis to recovery, and the critical role of education, advocacy, and support.

Understanding the Continuum of Care

My presentation, “Raising Your Awareness…from Discovery to Recovery and Beyond,” centered around understanding the Breast Cancer Continuum of Care, a comprehensive pathway from prevention and screening to diagnosis, treatment, recovery, or end-of-life care and the role of patient navigation in supporting persons on the journey to identify and eliminate barriers to accessing timely, quality care.  I emphasized that, in Jamaica and the Caribbean regions women of African and Indian heritage, have a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with more aggressive disease, thereby demanding proactive attention and action.

Critical Areas of Focus

I urged the audience to consider what steps they can take when faced with a serious diagnosis and, more importantly, what can be done beforehand, through advance care planning. Some key areas addressed were:

  1. Quality of life – Focusing on overall well-being, both mental and physical.
  2. Understanding family history – Recognizing patterns that may indicate a higher risk.
  3. “What if?” conversations – Engaging in essential discussions with loved ones and care providers to establish clear directives.

These conversations should include clear communication with loved ones and care providers, ensuring directives are created and in place, as well as maintaining a strong network and community of holistic support.

Embracing Support and Advocacy

Breast cancer is not a journey one should embark on alone. I ended my talk with two poignant reminders that “There is strength in embracing support” and “You are your greatest health advocate”, so as captain of your support team being empowered through education and support to advocate for you is a critical part of the journey. The energy in the room was palpable, and it was heartening to see so many people committed to continuing the conversation on prevention, treatment, and advocacy in the face of breast cancer.

This is why partners like the Montego Bay Convention Centre are so vital. Their venue provides a space not only for hosting events but for facilitating the critical conversations that begin even before a diagnosis. The Centre fosters thought leadership and collaboration, with a team of experts managing the logistics so that those delivering the message can focus on the crucial task of dissemination and retention.

Continuing the Dialogue

On Friday, October 25, 2024, the dialogue continues at Navigating Health Services Ltd’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month Workshop titled Moving Beyond Pink: Breast Cancer Navigation Programme—Navigating Cancer in the Jamaican Workplace, to be held at the Centre. The forum will focus on the profound impact cancer has on the Jamaican workforce, exploring challenges faced by employees, caregivers, environmental factors, and the need for supportive workplace initiatives. Together, we are committed to making a powerful, lasting impact.

Staff inside one of the meeting rooms at the Montego Bay Convention Centre standing in silence, as tribute to those who fought bravely but lost the fight with breast cancer.

Watch additional resources from the Navigating Health Services Ltd to help develop further awareness on:

Moving Beyond Pink Breast Navigation Programme

Moving Beyond Pink Care Kit Project

Sharifa’s Story

Cherane’s Story

Marlene’s Story

Post Workshop Highlights

Comment (1)

  • Llauna Gordon-Humphries

    I do heartily congratulate you and the other individuals who are engaged in this terrific effort and really endorse the idea of “moving beyond pink” and also that most efforts cease after October! There is so much work to be done as we battle to save lives by early detection And Treatment!!!!Diet, Support of All types etc
    Its a mammoth task but it can be accomplished if we join hands and heart and pull forward and upward together.
    This is just coming from the heart impromtu….Keep going!!blessings!!!

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