Mater Dei Hospital’s breast clinic is facing a shortage of breast care nurses trained in the treatment of breast cancer, along with counselling patients admitted to the clinic.

The Malta Independent on Sunday spoke to surgeons Mr Gordon Caruana Dingli and Mr John Agius, who informed this newsroom that there are currently three breast care nurses at the clinic, but two are retiring.

“Once a patient is diagnosed, they are managed by the doctors but also the breast care nurses, whom each patient meets and is provided care and support by,” explained Agius (below). Both surgeons said that although overworked and lacking in numbers, breast care nurses play a vital role.

“When the clinic opened back in 2000, we had only one breast care nurse. Now we have three and, unfortunately, two are retiring,” said Caruana Dingli. “We hope to have another as we have fallen behind on breast care nurses and we do need more nurses. This person must be motivated, mature and undergo a period of training, as I myself constantly travel abroad to keep up with the latest methods of breast cancer care.”

The breast clinic was established in 2000 at St Luke’s Hospital by Mr Charles Swain, and today the clinic’s complement of surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and oncologists have weekly multidisciplinary meetings to provide each patient with the right treatment. One out of every ten cases referred to the unit requires treatment for breast cancer.

Caruana Dingli (above) explains that there have been dramatic changes and advancements in the medical field over the past 19 years, which have had a positive effect on cancer survival rates. “According to EU statistics, Malta has the highest five-year survival rate at 87 per cent. This means that 80 per cent of those treated get past the five-year threshold. I am thankful for a number of people I work with who make this all possible.” Both Agius and Caruana Dingli explained that treatment is not limited to surgery, but patients are also given any support they may need, be it physiological or psychological. Caruana Dingli also notes that there have been fewer mastectomies over the years and that the clinic offers breast reconstruction, along with oncoplastic surgery, which integrates cosmetic surgery principles with breast cancer surgery in order to preserve aesthetic outcomes and quality of life. “The aim of the clinic is to treat the cancer and provide support to our patients and a good quality of life.”

Caruana Dingli explains that he and other surgeons take the time to explain to patients the disease and the treatment they will be undergoing so as to help the patient and their family members cope and understand the situation. Agius also highlights that all breast care nurses play a vital part in the support and care of patients, and if a patient is in need of more support, this can be found through a psychologist.

Statistics also highlight that out of 300 breast cancer cases, one per cent of patients are men. Agius explains that patients are advised to help their family members become more breast cancer aware. When asked how the statistics compare to those in other countries, both Agius and Caruana Dingli explained the incidence of male breast cancer in Malta is identical to that observed in other countries.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Agius emphasises that patients and their loved ones need to be reassured that there is a lot of support and quality care for them. “We do not want to scare people, but I wish to reassure those who are diagnosed that they are not alone. We are here and we are equipped with state-of-the-art treatment and support. As a doctor, my aim has always been to support those who are diagnosed.”

Aside from the support found at the breast clinic, the NGO Action for Breast Cancer Foundation continuously campaigns for quality-assured service in order to diagnose and treat breast cancer in Malta and Gozo. Esther Sant (above), the foundation’s chairperson, highlights that living a healthy lifestyle does not have to be expensive, but people need to take more exercise, eat a plant-based diet and be careful of what they consume. She said that the NGO provides psychological support to all women diagnosed with breast cancer.