Educating residents about breast cancer was the focus of a free symposium attended by 60 people Saturday and hosted by the Department of Health.
“We hope this symposium will enhance breast cancer awareness in the territory and provide continuing education on breast cancer for health care professionals,” said Health Commissioner Julia Sheen.
The residents came to the Bennie and Martha Benjamin Foundation Conference Center at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital to hear expert presentations marking October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Those attending included doctors, nurses, caregivers, cancer patients and cancer survivors.
“My daughter, up in the States, was just diagnosed with breast cancer,” Clothilda Charles said. “I came to get information on breast cancer and the latest treatments.”
Shanice Charlemagne gave an overview of the V.I. Health Department’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program and statistics, noting the importance of early detection. The expenditure she gave for cancer care is $8.4 billion nationwide. She said early detection reduces mortality and territory-wide screening would help.
Dr. Erole Hobdy spoke on treatments and drugs, addressing new therapies as well as chemotherapy and side effects.
“You may not have any side effects, you may have a few or all of them,” Hobdy said. “Things have gotten better treating side effects. There is still a lot of room to go with more ongoing research.” She said younger women fare better with chemotherapy and for older women, hormonal treatment is best.
Cancer specialist Dr. Bert Petersen pointed out that alcohol abuse and obesity contribute to cancer risk. He said diet, stress, and activity levels can affect the immune system.
Petersen is sssociate professor of aurgery at New York University School of Medicine and the director of the Breast Surgery Program at St. Barnabus Hospital in New York. Locally, he has worked in cancer care at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute on St. Thomas.
