Dr Rampaul:

The mortality rate of breast cancer in T&T has been estimated at approximately 23 per 100,000 women, with one in nine women developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed annually in October, plays a crucial role in raising awareness about breast cancer, a disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

This month-long campaign helps to educate the public about the importance of early detection, which can significantly improve survival rates. By promoting regular screenings and self-examinations, Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to catch the disease in its early stages when it is most treatable. This awareness can lead to earlier diagnoses, better treatment outcomes, and ultimately, save lives.

In addition to promoting early detection, Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a platform to support those affected by the disease. It provides an opportunity for survivors, patients, and their families to share their stories and experiences, fostering a sense of community and solidarity.

This support network can be incredibly empowering, offering emotional and practical assistance to those navigating their cancer journey. It can also equip and empower breast cancer patients with the knowledge of the various options available to them and help guide them through difficult processes, such as mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

In T&T and the English-speaking Caribbean, Dr Rajen Rampaul, medical director of the Pink Hibiscus Breast Health Specialists, is one of the only Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeons trained in plastic surgery.

His role ranges from looking after women with simple issues such as breast pain to screening, diagnosing, and treating breast cancer, to performing mastectomies and reconstructing women’s breasts after cancer removal surgery.

According to Dr Rampaul, although this month is very important, advocacy should be a year-round effort.

Early detection of breast cancer is vital, as it significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and survival. When breast cancer is identified at an early stage, it is often smaller and has not yet spread to other parts of the body, making it easier to treat effectively.

Dr Rampaul encourages women to have regular screenings, such as mammograms, which play a crucial role in early detection by identifying abnormalities before even symptoms appear. Additionally, self-examination and awareness of changes in breast tissue can help individuals notice potential issues early on.

By catching breast cancer early, patients have more treatment options available, which can lead to better outcomes and a higher quality of life.

Modern medicine can pick up breast cancer at a very early stage. Dr Rampaul says “stage zero and stage one.” From age 25, women should begin check-ups, which involve going to the doctor to get a breast exam regularly.

From age 40, as the risk increases, women should enrol in a breast screening programme at a breast centre and get regular screenings. These screenings include mammograms and ultrasounds, as not all cancers can be picked up by any one test. If a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer, treatment plans should be tailored to that patient, and options of chemotherapy, radiation, and mastectomy among others, can be explored.

Mastectomies, counselling, emotional support,

and feeling whole again

Mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both breasts, typically to treat or prevent breast cancer. This operation can be a life-saving measure for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, especially when the cancer is extensive or has a high risk of recurrence.

There are different types of mastectomies, ranging from total mastectomy, which removes the entire breast tissue, to more conservative approaches like skin-sparing or nipple-sparing mastectomies that preserve as much of the breast skin and structure as possible.

The decision to undergo a mastectomy is deeply personal and can be influenced by various factors, including the stage of cancer, genetic predisposition, and patient preference.

Post-surgery, many patients opt for reconstructive surgery to restore the breast’s appearance, which can be an important step in the mental, emotional, and physical recovery process.

Dr Rampaul has published research alongside psychologist Dr Arianne Shepherd focused on the link between depression and body mutilation that accompanies mastectomy in T&T.

According to their research, over 80 per cent of women who underwent mastectomies were subject to depression, abandonment by husbands, failed marriages, and broken homes.

“It became difficult for these women to return to work or resume normal activities, as they suffered with shame,” he said, explaining the physical, psychological, and psychosocial impact of this life-changing surgery.

As breasts have for a long time been an integral part of the female and feminine identity, having breasts is far more than aesthetics, as it relates to reproduction and relationships, while the loss of them can cause greatly diminished feelings of femininity.

At the Pink Hibiscus Breast Health Specialists, women who have to grapple with the decision are offered counselling and emotional support as a key component of their treatment programme.

According to Dr Rampaul, “From the point of biopsy, we encourage women to bring their husbands, partners, friends, or other loved ones to provide them with support during and aftercare.”

In a broader sense, he encourages his patients not to see losing their breast as a horror story “because of our modern levels of service and care, we can keep part of the breast or the breast shape, so women don’t feel mutilated or deformed and they know they can be whole again.”

The fight against breast cancer remains a collective effort that requires ongoing awareness, research, and support.

By prioritising early detection, advocating for comprehensive care, and fostering a community of support, we can make significant strides in reducing the impact of this disease.

Every step taken, whether through education, fundraising, or personal vigilance, brings us closer to a future where the illness is no longer a life-threatening condition.

The post Dr Rampaul: first appeared on CNC3.