Ahead of breast care awareness month, the EU member states are reinforcing their long-term commitment to the fight against cancer by launching a European Partnership for Action Against Cancer. Malta is included in this partnership.

During October, breast cancer awareness month, The Malta Independent will be taking a special look at all aspects of the disease, from the symptoms and the diagnosis to its prevention, the treatment and emotional impact of living with it.

We will be carrying the pink ribbon on the front page on a daily basis as a reminder to all our readers. Several interviews with people of different ages who are going through, or have been through, the illness will be published on this newspaper and its sister paper, The Malta Independent on Sunday.

We will also do our best to shed light on the work of two groups aimed at providing support and lobbying for action for the provision of better screening programmes and medical services.

The partnership was launched two days ago in Brussels. Cancer survivor and president of the Breast Care Support Group – Europa Donna Malta attended the conference. Gertrude Abela is the Maltese testimonial for people who experienced cancer.

The aim of the partnership, which is planned from 2009 until 2013, is to support member states and other stakeholders in their efforts to tackle cancer more efficiently by providing a framework for identifying and sharing information, capacity and expertise in cancer prevention and control. It aims to engage a wide range of stakeholders across the EU in a collective effort and with a common commitment to addressing cancer. It will also help to avoid scattered action and duplication of efforts, and contribute to better use of limited resources available across Europe.

By the end of the partnership, the objective for all member states, including Malta, is to have integrated cancer plans. The long-term aim set out by the commission is to reduce cancer by 15 per cent by 2020.

Over 300 cancer organisations, patients and cancer survivors, health professionals, researchers, health authorities and health ministers gathered to mark the official launch of the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer.

The opening speeches by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou and Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium highlighted the impact of cancer on individuals and their families.

In addition, the importance of talking about cancer and breaking down the barriers of stigma and secrecy which surround some cancers was also raised. Three million people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the EU. It is the second biggest cause of death for both men and women.

Mrs Abela explained how launch participants watched a short film – ‘Life for Living’. The film illustrates the experiences, hopes and aspirations of five cancer survivors with different backgrounds, ages and cancers. The participants also watched a video message by singer Jose Carreras about his own fight against cancer and his hopes for the partnership. Both these films were produced specifically for the launch event.

Mrs Abela’s breast cancer story started in 1999 when she discovered a lump in her breast. She couldn’t believe it could be something serious because she had had a mammogram some three months earlier.

She went to a radiologist with a friend so as not to worry the family before being certain about whether the lump was benign or malignant.

Results proved it was cancer and in less than a week she had to undergo surgery. She continued with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and five years of treatment.

Ten years later Mrs Abela leads a normal life. She became a member of the Breast Care Support Group – Europa Donna Malta, of which she is now president. She is also a member of the Malta Girl Guides Association. She feels she should give something back to breast cancer patients by supporting them and volunteering at the breast care clinic of Mater Dei Hospital.

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Damage to the DNA of these cells results in uncontrolled cell division and growth, and, eventually, sufficient cells accumulate to form a lump.

As with most cancers, the key to successful treatment and recovery is early diagnosis before the cancer has had the chance to spread to other organs.

While the exact causes of breast cancer have not been clearly identified, certain risk factors are said to contribute to the disease development.

Being overweight, drinking alcohol in excess, having a significant family history of breast cancer, having no children or children late in life, getting older, starting your periods early or going through menopause late, and taking hormone replacement therapy for a prolonged period may be contributing factors to breast cancer.

However, persons in their fifties or more mature ages are not the only ones affected. Women in their twenties and thirties, who had young children, had also been diagnosed with the disease and some cases were fatal.

Breast cancer may be diagnosed when a woman develops symptoms that alert her to seek medical advice. Medics and people in the breast cancer field advice us to show our breasts some TLC. This acronym may stand for tender loving care in day to day terminology and may be carried out by Touching the breasts and feeling about for anything unusual, Looking for changes while being aware of your breasts’ normal shape and texture, and Checking anything unusual with your doctor as well as talking to friends if you are worried about seeing a specialist.

We must look for changes in the size and shape of breasts especially if one becomes larger than the other, skin texture such as puckering or dimpling of the skin – orange peel effect – as well as the appearance and direction of the nipples since one nipple may become inverted.

Discharge from one or both nipples, rash and crusting of the nipple or the surrounding area, a lump in the breast or armpit, a lumpy area or unusual thickening of the breast tissue that does not go away after a period, and pain in part of the breast or armpit that is not related to periods are among the indications that should be checked.

However, it is important to remember that nine out of 10 breast lumps are harmless, especially in young persons, but they should still be checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

To make an accurate diagnosis, doctors need to carry out a thorough examination. They take a careful look at the lump itself, possibly using an ultrasound and mammogram.

They may take a sample of tissue using needle aspiration and/or needle biopsy. This is then analysed by a pathologist to assess whether malignant cells are present and confirm the diagnosis of cancer.

Cells carrying the Her2 receptor may respond to the drug trastuzumab (herceptin), which may be used in the treatment of some Her2 positive cancers.

Educational courses are organised locally by the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation and the Breast Cancer Support Group. Courses are often geared up to the specific needs of each group and cater for both professional and lay people wanting to gain insight into breast cancer.