2017

Cancer Society of Maldives (CSM) started Breast Cancer Screening camps in 2014 in collaboration with FEM Surgery of Mount Elizabeth Hospital Singapore. CSM and FEM has jointly agreed to conduct two screenings annually and to screen the populations of the outer atolls of the Maldives. So far three camps have been conducted and have covered four atolls out of 20 atolls. The initial screening camp was in Addu Atoll in Feruary 2014., and covered all five islands of Addu Atoll. The other two camps were in April 2015 in Haa Alif and Haa Dhaalu Atolls and in October 2015 in Baa Atoll, and in 2016 we repeated Addu atoll. We decided to do a repeat screening in Addu atoll because the prevalence of breast cancer in Maldives is highest in Addu Atoll second to Male’ where the services are available. We select atolls for the screening programs based on the prevalence of breast cancer atoll wise.

The screening program is open for all women of 30 years and above ages in the Atoll, and women with a family history, where it is advertised for women to pre-sign up for screening. To check for breast cancer, first a clinical breast examination is done and if advised by the doctor, a breast ultrasound scan is done to further investigate suspected cases. After the breast scan, the doctor will further advise patients to go for a mammogram or a biopsy for further investigation and confirmation of a diagnosis. Only a few regional hospitals have mammograms and for any further investigation patients have to travel. For mammograms and biopsy, patients have to travel to Male’ (capital city of Maldives), India or SriLanka. The team comprised of three doctors from Singapore, three doctors from Male’ and four nurses from Singapore. Three excom members of CSM formed part of the team. During the three-day program, screening was done in Maradhoo Health Centre, Hithadhoo Regional Hospital and in Hulhumeedhoo Health Centre. A total of 558 women were screened, and those required to do follow up was advised to go for follow up tests to Male’.

This year the first screening with the FeM Surgery team was conducted in GDh atoll from 6th April to 8th April 2017. Unlike other screening trip with the FeM Surgery team, this year we had included Oral Cancer Screening as well. Oral Cancer Screening was carried out in partnership with Maldivian Dental Association. According to the data that we have, Oral Cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the Maldives. Breast cancer awareness sessions are conducted along with the screening programs to all the people who come to get screened and leaflets with signs, symptoms and self-examination techniques outlined were distributed to the rest of the population through the health centres and hospital. One facilitator fromG.Dh Atoll who were trained by CSM in 2015 conducted some of the awareness sessions.

GDh Atoll is one of the Southern-most atolls of Maldives. The three day screening was done in Thinadhoo, which is the capital of GDh atoll for 2 days and in Faresmaathoda for a day. In GDh Thinadhoo the screening was done in Dr Abdul Samad Memorial Hospital which is the regional hospital for Huvadhoo Atoll area. The area also has a very accessible ferry system which makes it convenient for people from other islands to visit the Regional Hospital.

In the 2 day screening at GDh Thinadhoo 200 people were screened for breast cancer and 138 people were screened for Oral Cancer. During Faresmaathoda Screening which was done in the Faresmaathoda Health Center, 124 people were screened for Breast Cancer and 126 people were screened for Oral Cancer. A total of 324 for Breast Cancer and 264 for Oral Cancer were screened over the 3 day program.

The FeM surgery team consisted of 3 doctors and 1 nurse while the Maldives team consisted of 2 doctors for Breast screening, 1 dentist for Oral Screening, 1 nurse as a facilitator for awareness sessions and 5 Excomm members. One of our trained facilitators from the island also joined to conduct few sessions in Gdh. Thinadhoo. The awareness sessions focused on Breast cancer and oral cancer as well.

During this trip, we had also met with cancer survivors and patients to establish a support group in that region.

Through these screenings we aim to screen as many people as possible and to educate even more on risk factors and symptoms.

Our aim in conducting the screening programs is to screen as many people as possible and help in early detection. Most of the people in the outer atolls have difficulty in accessibility to some health care services such as cancer screening.

Cancer Society of Maldives would to thank the 11 member team of Gdh Screening, without whom it would be difficult for us to do these screening trips. Thank you for you dedication to our society and your inspiring readiness to help others. We would also like to thank Amari Havodda, Benhaage (Thinadhoo), Small Island Village (Faresmaathoda) and Maldivian. Special thanks are given to the very dedicated staff of the Abdul Samad Memorial hospital and Faresmaathoda health centre for their effortless work in making this screening a success. I CAN WE CAN YOU CAN HELP PREVENT CANCER!