Breast Wellness Awareness

In a transformative move toward enhancing women’s health across Belize, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has launched a pioneering Breast Wellness Awareness initiative. This effort is supported by a network of dedicated partners including Dr. Shenin Sachedina, the Belize Cancer Society, UNICEF Belize, and the Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children.

At the heart of this initiative is the introduction of Point-of-Care Breast Ultrasound Training, a critical step in enabling healthcare providers to identify breast abnormalities more rapidly and accurately—especially in underserved and rural communities. Led by Dr. Shenin Sachedina, this training equips frontline medical personnel with essential skills to detect suspicious lesions early, potentially saving lives through timely diagnosis and intervention.

The campaign carries a powerful and personal message: “If you feel something, say something.” This call to action is designed to empower women to take their health into their own hands—encouraging open conversations and swift responses to any noticeable changes in breast tissue.

The urgency of this campaign is underscored by sobering statistics: Breast cancer remains the most common cancer affecting women globally. In Belize, a staggering 68% of women are diagnosed at Stage 3 or 4, when treatment becomes more complex and outcomes are less favorable. This late-stage diagnosis is often a result of inadequate access to screening services, limited public awareness, and significant delays in medical care (Wong et al., 2023).

This program seeks to break down these barriers by making life-saving breast health services more accessible and by fostering a culture of awareness, education, and early detection. The ultimate goal is clear: to build a future where every woman in Belize, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status, has the tools and knowledge to prioritize her breast health.

Breast ultrasound services are now available at the following hospitals:

• Punta Gorda Community Hospital

• Southern Regional Hospital

• Western Regional Hospital

• Northern Regional Hospital

This initiative is more than a health campaign—it is a movement. It invites all Belizeans to come together to support one another, spread awareness, and promote a culture where women’s health is a shared priority.

Together, we can raise awareness, encourage early detection, and build a healthier Belize.

Sources:

National Library of Medicine. Breast cancer in low-middle income countries: abnormality in splicing and lack of targeted treatment options, 2020, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7269781/.