By Bejay Browne.
As Breast Cancer Awareness month gets underway in October, a local initiative in Paphos encouraged residents to take part in a sponsored walk/run to raise much needed funds.
The sponsored walk/run was in aid of the, ‘Breast of Friends’, Marilyn McMillan, the current Chairman of the informed the Paphos Post.
“The Breast of Friends is a breast cancer support group and three years ago, thanks to Sue Cordrey of the Paphos Running Group and their women’s group, ‘Sole Sisters’, an idea was formed to establish an annual walk/run to raise funds for registered charities, the Paphos cancer patients support group and Pasykaf,” McMillan explained.
The Breast of Friends and Sole Sisters then advise how funds raised from the event could best be used, although the charities have the final say, noted McMillan.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is marked in many countries around the world in October, and aims to increase awareness and support of early detection and treatment, as well as palliative care.
The Breast of Friends support group was started five years ago by Maxine O’Daly and colleague Cherrie Gregory, O’Daly informed the Paphos Post. The group aims to support breast cancer patients from discovery to recovery, she noted.
“Although we remain a small group, we have seen new ladies joining us in the last few years. Cherrie and I both retired from the group at the end of 2019, although I’m now an honorary member, which means that I can still enjoy going to meetings and helping with fund raising,” O’Daly said.
The group meets up regularly and all of the members have or have had breast cancer and all aspects or subjects discussed are confidential, McMillan stressed.
“Our members can offer their experience and knowledge about anything related to breast cancer and its a good opportunity to make new friends with people who have experiences or circumstances are similar.” she said.
Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer affecting women all over the world; 18.2 per cent of all cancer deaths worldwide, including both males and females are from breast cancer. It is also the leading cancer in women in Cyprus, with approximately 400 new cases diagnosed annually.
Although McMillan has a background in nursing, she said that she found the process daunting when she was diagnosed.
“I didn’t know where to turn to, the hospital didn’t give patients any information whatsoever, although this is getting better, and the problems can also be practical. I knew there were buses I could get for treatment in other towns for example, but I had no idea where they went from,” she said.
Last year the initiative raised 6,000 euros, and with guidance from CPSG and PASYKAF nurses, a special bed for cancer patients to be used at patients home, two oxygen machines, as well as arm (compression) sleeves used for Lymphedema, were purchased.
Lymphedema is a swelling that can sometimes occur in patients’ arms, caused by the removal of or damage to lymph nodes as a part of cancer treatment.
In addition, O’Daly noted that a friend has set up a small initiative in Cyprus called, ‘Knitted Knockers,’ following her daughter’s breast cancer diagnosis.
“Knitted Knockers started in America and aims is to seek volunteers who knit for breast cancer survivors, hand made breast prosthesis for women who have undergone mastectomies or other procedures to the breast,” she said.
Special cotton is used which makes it much more comfortable when placed in a bra, O’Daly added.
Breast of Friends : 99056769
www.breastcancerpaphos.info
PASYKAF Paphos : 26 222929
Cancer Patients support helpline : (m) 97 760989
