As part of the activities to raise awareness on breast care, the Breast Care Support Group Europa Donna Malta (BCSGED) organised a lecture at the Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana giving more information about the subject. The Malta College of Family Doctors accredited all Doctors who attended. Guest speaker was Ms Ingrid Kossler, the President of the Europa Donna Coalition and President of the Swedish Breast Organisation. Vodafone Malta Foundation is supporting this year’s Breast Care Awareness campaign, organised every October.

This lecture was also attended by Mrs Mary Fenech Adami, patron of the Support Group and Health Minister Louis Deguara.

The Breast Care Support Group Europa Donna is a non-government, non-profit organisation, and has been active since 1989. “Our aims are to support women who have gone through the trauma of Breast Cancer and to raise awareness among the Maltese and Gozitan population.

Since one in 10 women will be affected by breast cancer at some time in their lives, we aim to emphasise the importance of self-examination and regular mammograms,” said Jackie Vassallo, President of the Breast Care Support Group.

“Our main campaign is held in October, the month of the Pink Ribbon, which is the world-wide symbol for breast cancer awareness. However, the Group is active throughout the year. We meet once a month, in Malta at 5:30 pm on the first Thursday of the month at the Malta Hospice in Balzan, and in Gozo at 9:30 am on the second Tuesday of the month at the Kana premises in Victoria. We organise talks about breast cancer and also on other subjects. Anyone affected by breast cancer is welcome to attend. We also do talks at schools, factories, etc. on request, where we show a DVD on self-examination,” she concluded.

The Breast Care Awareness Campaign is also supported by Novartis, who sponsored the lecture. Thanks also go to Air Malta, MaltaPost, Poligas, Qrendi Scouts & Attard Girl Guides and the Scout movement for their support.

For further information, advice or support, one may contact the Support Group on www.bebreastaware.org, telephone numbers: 21455472, 21482602 or by email on: [email protected]