More help needed for cancer fighters

In 1999, Sandra Samuels was just 35 when she was diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer.

Months later, she found herself doing a major surgery to remove 14 lymph nodes from her armpit, four treatments of chemotherapy, and 16 treatments of radiation therapy. Now, 23 years cancer-free, the 59-year-old is the president of Jamaica Reach to Recovery.

"I see it as one of the purposes of my existence. So this is a part of my purpose-driven life. Apart from the work I do to earn money, this is one of my passions, because too many women are dying from the lack of screening," Samuels said.

Jamaica Reach to Recovery is an affiliate of the Jamaica Cancer Society. It is a non-profit organisation which seeks to assist persons battling the disease by providing both emotional and financial support.

"Currently, we assist persons up to a total of $100,000 and the money can be used for prosthesis, that is the breast form...the mammogram, ultrasound, CT scan, bone scan, medication, any minor ops (operations) like needle biopsy. Anything that falls under $100,000 pertaining to breast cancer. The money, however, is not given to the individual. It is paid directly to the organisation. So if it is the doctor doing the needle biopsy, the money is paid to the doctor, etc. So there is transparency; they can't use it fi guh buy clothes," Samuels said. She added that treatment, as well as medication, are too expensive, and many cancer fighters and survivors who have to take long-term medication are struggling to afford it.

Jamaica Reach to Recovery has a monthly meeting every second Tuesday at Webster Memorial Church Hall on Half-Way Tree Road. Survivors are able to share their stories, find support, and listen to guest speakers such as doctors and psychologists, who can help them along their journey.

"It's mostly about encouragement. We don't do the 'pity party' situation. We entertain conversation to the upliftment of the survivors, so whether it is a presentation or a discussion among ourselves," Samuels said.

Currently, Jamaica Reach to Recovery is the only registered charity that specifically provides support to breast cancer patients and hosts support group meetings. But Samuels said the organisation is now on a mission to have at least one subdivision in every parish.

She said this goal is not just driven to help as many cancer fighters as possible, but also because she recognises that the country lacks the facilities needed to give persons the best fighting chance to beat the disease.

"What I was going to do was offer well-needed mammograms to women in the 14 parishes, only to find out that Portland, St Mary, Trelawny have no mammography machines," she said, adding that the other parishes have only one machine, except St Catherine, Kingston, St James and Manchester.

She also suggested that women are not doing enough to aid in the early detection of the disease.

"Women are not taking their lives into their own hands and doing what they're supposed to do, whether it is a healthy lifestyle or having their mammograms done at age 40 or, prior to that, having their own digital breast examination," she said. "Suh if last month a lump neva deh there suh, a hump, a bump neva deh dere suh, yuh tek yuh self and yuh guh to the doctor. But most of us guh doctor when we sick. We don't believe in preventative measures."

She also added that men need to do the same, because although rare, they too get breast cancer.