DILI, 28 september 2021 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste needs to have a mammography unit to assist the work of the health authorities on early detection of breast cancer, said First Lady, Cidália Lopes Nobre Mouzinho Guterres.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Health must prepare adequate equipment to help the medical work on the early detection of the breast cancer in the country. Breast cancer is a serious issue that the Ministry of Health needs to consider in its priorities. It poses a big threat to the lives of many Timorese women. Therefore, a mammography unit is needed to facilitate the early diagnosis of breast cancer in the country,” First Lady, Cidália Lopes Nobre Mouzinho Guterres made the comments in her speech at the launching ceremony of raising knowledge and awareness of breast cancer to the members of Rede Feto Timor-Leste, in Dili, today.
She said apart from raising the knowledge and awareness on breast cancer, the role of mammography in breast cancer prevention was important.
“Right now, none of our hospitals, including the Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV) have the mammography unit. Therefore, the samples of the patients who are suspicious of having breast cancer have to be sent to Indonesia for detecting breast cancer through a private clinic in Dili, known as Cindranita Clinic. The cost of breast cancer screening is around US$ 300, and we provide funds to cover the screening costs,” said Guterres.
She said once the HNGV has its mammography unit, then Timor-Leste will have more breast cancer screening to prevent and protect many of our women from breast cancer. It’s because regular mammograms can help find breast cancer at an early stage.
Many of the Timorese women go to the hospitals when their condition is in stage IV or the most advanced stage of breast cancer, Guterres said.
“That’s why raising the knowledge and awareness of breast cancer to Timorese women was important to encourage them to visit the hospitals or talk to someone or inform relevant entities and medical workers when they experience signs of breast cancer,” she said.
At the same place, the President of the National Commission on Breast Cancer, Dr. Alito Soares informed that every week, HNGV detected three to five patients having cancer, saying Timor-Leste is currently still don’t have any official data of those who died from breast cancer: “This is because many women prefer to see the traditional healings before visiting hospitals.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
