Survivor Leads the Charge: ‘Save Your Breast’—West Jamaica Conference Rallies for Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Jamaican women, but the key to changing this narrative lies in early detection. In 2020, Jamaica reported 1,208 new cases of breast cancer.This crucial message came alive at the recent Save Your Breast Symposium, hosted by the Women’s and Health Ministries Departments of West Jamaica Conference led by Mrs. Carol Smythe-James and Pastor Egnal Grant respectively. On Sunday, October 13, 2024, the Seventh-day Adventist Conference Centre was awash in a sea of pink as attendees came together to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month and participate in the impactful event.

 

A pivotal moment of the programme came as a survivor took to the stage to recount her journey of diagnosis, treatment, and the sheer determination it took to overcome each hurdle. Mrs. Beverley Brissett-Lawrence, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Granville, shared her journey that began in 2022. During a routine check-up, doctors discovered two lumps in her breast but assured her there was nothing to worry about.

 

 “A family friend in Florida observed I was losing weight and asked me how I was feeling. She sent me for tests that initially showed nothing out of the ordinary. When I mentioned the lumps I had found earlier, she examined my breast herself and insisted I get a mammogram, even though I was avoiding it,” she recalled.

Brissett-Lawrence's story took a significant turn when she did a biopsy at the King’s County Comprehensive Breast Centre in New York. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 Oestrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer.

 

"My response might seem strange," Brissett-Lawrence shared with the audience, "but when I got the news, I said, ‘Thank you, Jesus,’ because I was happy to know I had found out, especially after being told there was nothing to worry about.”

 

With unwavering support from her family and church community, she endured eight cycles of chemotherapy. “At the end of it, they found residue and recommended a lumpectomy. The procedure confirmed I was cancer-free,” she said, her voice resonating with gratitude.

 

“You need as much support as possible when going through cancer. I was blessed with the support of my family and my church community, both locally and abroad. It can be a very lonely time, but God has been so awesome to me,” she added. 

 

Her testimony resonated deeply, serving as a prelude to her heartfelt advice for others facing similar battles.

 

“Whatever you’re going through, don’t keep it to yourself because prayer changes things, and your prayer alone is not sufficient. Feast on God’s promises. The doctors treat, but healing comes from God. This is the true test of our Christian faith—trusting in God during tough times,” she advised.

 

She also highlighted the importance of lifestyle changes, especially in dietary habits. Brissett-Lawrence has been cancer-free for over a year and left the audience with a quote from Philippians 4:6-7, reminding them not to be anxious but to trust in God’s peace.

 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The program also featured a presentation from Ms. Marcia Grey on the relationship between parabens and cancer, as well as a panel discussion. The panelists included Nurse Merlin Wilson, Nurse Iotha Rhynie, and Dr. Courtney Watson, who engaged the audience in discussions surrounding common myths, risk factors, and the psychological implications of breast cancer.

 

Through education, testimonies, and community support, this year’s symposium carried a clear message: by prioritizing health and vigilance, women and men can take proactive steps to protect themselves in the fight against breast cancer.