GREAT BAY--Women ages 18 and older across St. Maarten are being reminded that today, September 30, is the final day to register for the free breast and general health screening scheduled for Saturday, October 3.
The screening will be hosted by the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Organizers are stressing that registration must be completed three days before the event, making today the deadline for women who would like to participate.
Appointments can be made by calling 721-545-2298 ext. 404 2248, via WhatsApp at +1 (937) 450-3948, or by email atehypolite@aucmed.edu.
The screenings will take place at the office of Collective Prevention Services at Vineyard Office Park, 33 Buncamper Road, Philipsburg. Organizers are particularly encouraging women who have not participated in previous AUC breast screenings to take advantage of the opportunity.
The general health screening will be conducted by AUC medical students and will include checks of participants’ height, weight, vision, blood sugar, blood pressure and total cholesterol. Breast examinations will be performed by board-certified AUC physician and oncologist Dr. Naira Chobanyan.
AUC is conducting the screenings with support from the Positive Foundation and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA). The initiative is aimed at helping the St. Maarten population better understand the prevalence and risk factors associated with breast abnormalities, including breast cancer.
Participants will also receive information about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, steps that may help reduce risk, how breast cancer risk is evaluated and how individual risk can be calculated.
While there is no certain way to prevent breast cancer, the organizers hope that education and findings from the research project can help empower women with information that may contribute to earlier detection and treatment.
The Positive Foundation continues to encourage women to take an active role in their breast health through its message: “Feel It, Find It, and Fight It” early, when breast cancer may be easier to treat.
Women interested in participating are urged not to wait, as registration closes today, September 30.
