Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer seen in women in Tonga and so far this year 12 have undergone surgery, so early detection is a very important factor for the best health outcome, Lord Tangi said today at the launch of the Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Lord Tangi a Specialist General Surgeon and Chairman of the Multidisciplinary Cancer Committee at Vaiola Hospital spoke on a theme ‘We are stronger together’ and said that in 2013 they diagnosed 30 women with breast cancer. They recommended surgery on 16 of them while the remaining 14 women, for various reasons and some of them these were good reasons, no proper surgical procedure were done.

“For 2014, so far we have done 12 similar procedures. There’s one for next week and we are heading for a similar number again. All these patients presented to us with palpable lumps of various sizes. We know that any cancer including that of the breast, the malignant changes starting at the cellular level and they multiply from there, it starts very small and by the time the lump is large and palpable, the tumor had been there for three-months even more than a year,” he said.

“Therefore for the best treatment outcome, although many factors are contributing here, early detection of the tumour is a very important contributing factor."

The Tonga Breast Cancer Society Inc. will open on October 10 a Mammography Unit at the Radiology Unit in Vaiola Hospital.

Lord Tangi said once this was running it was anticipated that they would deal with these cancers at a much earlier stages.

Detection

A breast cancer survivor, Lupe Goulton in an emotional speech said a biopsy test in February 2010 confirmed that the lump in one her breasts was positive to cancer.

She said at the time she was carrying her youngest child and had to get a caesarian to allow further treatment. Her baby is now four-years old and she is healthy and happy.

"The support from medical officers, my family and friends were paramount at the time to keep me to walk on walk strong. To all women if you have any reason to believe that you have a lump that requires attention please do not be afraid to come forward and seek advice from medical officers and support from breast cancer victims, relatives and friends. You don't have to fight alone."

The awareness month will carry out many activities including radio programs, a bicycle ride and walk events, a fundraising lunch as well as an online auction.

Lady Si'atukimoana Vaea was the guest of honour at the event which was attended by many guests at Tungi Colonnade.