A post-surgical breast care cushion to be supplied to cancer-survived women in Sri Lanka

Breast cancer and Cervical cancer are the most common types of cancer among women in Sri Lanka. Following breast surgery, women are reluctant to move their arm due to pain and also being frightened that the surgical site will be subject to trauma.  

Ann Selle of the Botany Bay Zonta Club in Australia developed and pioneered the Post Surgery Breast Cushion. The Zonta Breast Care Cushion (shown in the image) aids recovery by allowing the woman to sit, sleep and rest comfortably, as well as by preventing hurt from bumps while walking around and any discomfort from wearing seat belts.  

About 2% of breast cancers occur in men, and the Zonta Breast Care Cushion is certainly provided to men on request, says Zonta International on their website. 

The cushion can be worn after surgery to provide pain relief as well as a physical and emotional comfort to women. Free movement of the arm helps reduce lymphoedema (swelling in the arm following removal of the breast and lymph nodes in the armpit) which is a post-surgical complication. 

To mark the significance of breast cancer awareness month, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sri Lanka supported Zonta club 11 to recommence regular supply of breast cushions in Sri Lanka. UNFPA Sri Lanka Country Representative Ms. Ritsu Nacken handed over the aid to Zonta Club President Ms. Meneka Galgamuwa.

According to WHO, breast cancer is the cause of over 18% of female deaths in Sri Lanka. 

Photo: Left to right - Consultant Venereologist, Dr Sujatha Samarakoon, Director at the Zonta Club II Board- Ms. Shyama Perera, Zonta Club President Ms. Meneka Galgamuwa, UNFPA Country Representative in Sri Lanka, Ms. Ritsu Nacken,  UNFPA Sri Lanka Assistant Representative Ms. Madusha Dissanayake

23,000 cancer patients diagnosed in Sri Lanka annually; one-third of them preventable

Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, Acting Director, National Cancer Control Programme points out that around 23,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Sri Lanka. "I am requesting the media, who hold immense power, curate content that will decrease the taboo, encourage early detection and drive people to access services to help save lives,” she asked recently at a ceremony held to launch a web platform for awareness on cancer prevention called Aayu.plus

Issuing a press release to mark the launch of the web platform, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said, "It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that one-third of cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. Yet cervical and breast cancer are a global public health issue that is currently claiming millions of innocent lives, with more than two-thirds of these cases occurring in the developing countries where the health sector lacks the capacity and infrastructure to combat the threat effectively. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common types of cancer among women in Sri Lanka."

Owing to the tremendous impact of modifiable factors on cancer risk, it has been estimated that at least one-third of all cancers are preventable, the Aayu platform says. Cancer prevention is characterized as a reduction in cancer mortality by reducing the occurrence of cancer. This includes reducing exposure to modifiable risk factors, along with population-based screening, to enable early detection of pre-cancer lesions.

Following factors have been identified in Sri Lanka as modifiable risk factors for cancers. 

• Tobacco use
• Physical inactivity
• Overweight and Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Unhealthy diet
• Unprotected sex for certain types of cancers
• Chewing of arecanut