Tonga's Vaiola Hospital sees 40 new breast cancer patients each year, but very few cases are detected early enough, before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Breast cancer surgeon, Lord Tangi, this morning begged women in Tonga to use the early detection facilities that had been available at the hospital for the last four years.

“We had hoped to see an increase in early detection but that hasn't happened,” he said.

“For the last three years only 5 per cent of those cases are detected early. The rest have come with a palpable lump of various sizes and degree of spread of the cancer...Then the outcome is not the best,” he told the launch of the Tongan Breast Cancer Society Inc. Pink October awareness campaign.

Cancer quickly spreads from within the breast to the lymph nodes close to the breast and then to other parts of the body.

“So when a patient comes with a lump that is 5cm in diameter it’s probably been there for the last 24 months and there’s a period of cancer spread that is ongoing. As the cancer spreads, the graph for survival of five years goes down,” he warned.

Early detection

Lord Tangi said that thanks to the efforts of the Society, Vaiola Hospital has a Mammography Unit and an Ultra Sound Unit that can detect the microscopic beginnings of breast cancer.

He explained that breast cancer starts in the cells as a little dot that is not detectable by the patient or the doctor. But the machine ultra sound and mammography can pick it up.

“Even though its not palpable I have the means to locate the area and remove that tissue while it's still in a cellular level of cancer development. When I have that scenario in front of me, that's when I talk about a cure.”

Saving lives

He said that this year's theme for Pink October “Early Detection Saves Lives,” was an important message.

Cancer of the breast is the commonest cancer in women globally with an average risk for women to develop breast cancer in their lifetime at about 11%. The risk goes up to 20% for people who have a family history and genetic factors.

Lord Tangi believed the definition of very early detection was still not properly understood here in Tonga.

“It is very important to think and to encourage women to come in as early as possible, so that we can improve outcomes...Let's start this month to detect early!”

Women can come to the Vaiola Mammography Unit for screening every Friday without an appointment, or at any other time with an appointment.

Breast cancer survivor Mrs Melefusi Talakai also spoke of her experience and how Tongans with advanced breast cancer, were accessing radiation therapy and treatments in India.

The morning tea event was held at The Top Restaurant in Nuku'alofa CBD, where President of the Tonga Breast Cancer Society, Hon. Fatafehi Tuita, launched a Pink October banner.