For ages, the colour pink has been associated with femineity. A soft colour that symbolises the fairer sex. For more than a decade, the same colour has been used to raise awareness about a disease that is claiming female lives the world over.

October is internationally celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Around the world, we celebrate this as Pinktober. The month-long campaign highlights the issue as a top health priority, with the disease affecting many women. People all over the world will be wearing pink ribbons to signify awareness.

 In 2023, 34 per cent of cancer cases in women were of breast cancer. Minister of Health Valasi Tafito Selesele said Samoa was committed to addressing the burden of breast cancer and all cancers in Samoa.

“One of the main issues with cancer in Samoa is late presentation," he said.

"This results in people being diagnosed with advanced cancers, which are difficult or impossible to treat. Some of the crucial reasons why patients do not seek help earlier are cultural, logistics, financial, knowledge, and navigating the health systems and processes in Samoa."

As in most cancer cases, the key to cure has always been early detection. The concern is that there is not enough awareness of the issue that could help with early detection. Most women in Samoa do not report such cases until they are in the later stages of the cancer. At this point, the cancer either becomes terminal or hard to remove or cure.

Where can women in Samoa go for screening? It has been said that the mammogram machine at the big hospital is currently not in operation and the only alternative is the ultrasound scans. Breast cancer screenings should be free across the nation. But more importantly, women of all ages must be aware of breast cancer and how to identify symptoms which in most cases start with a lump in the breast.

The first Cancer Control Policy and Plan was launched recently. According to the policy, there are 10 key priority areas. Health Promotion and Elevation of Health Literacy, Cancer-Specific Information campaigns, Early Detection Programmes, Screening programmes, Local Diagnostic Services, Local Treatment Services, Equitable and Cost-Effective Overseas Medical Treatment Programs and International Clinical Partnerships, Coordinated Palliative Care Services, Developing Cancer Registry and  Developing a Cancer Centre.

This is very ambitious considering that such a policy should have been in place 10 years ago. While the policy intends to help the women of this nation, to fulfil requirements in the policy, there is a need for expertise, equipment and commitment from the government to invest in this.

Every year, a new policy is made up but hardly anything is achieved. We hope that the Ministry of Health has a foolproof plan to achieve the requirements of the policy. As watchdogs, we promise that next year, we will ask the ministry to provide an update on the policy.

Breast cancer awareness is more than just wearing pink and holding morning teas. The awareness campaign should start in schools. Young women should be taught how to carry out self-examinations and pep smear tests should be encouraged.

Even with the cancer policy in place, only a few private clinics offer pep smear tests and that comes at a cost. This means that most women are unable to afford it. This important test should be readily available in all hospitals and should come at no cost if we are serious about breast cancer.

If the ministry does not have the equipment yet, the least that can be done is to have a team that visits village by village and in conjunction with the women’s committee, screen the women regularly. It would be nicer to have a mobile mammogram machine but that is something for the future.

There is also a need to change the attitude of Samoan women towards breast cancer. Many turn to traditional medicine first and only get proper medical assistance when their situation worsens. There is a need for more awareness.

Breast cancer is real and impacts the health of our mothers, spouses, sisters and daughters. There is no shame in talking about it. There is no shame in spreading awareness. Early detection is always key in the fight against any form of cancer.