U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in our community, with breast cancer being the second most common form. The VI Department of Health continues its vital mission to educate both women and men on the life-saving power of early detection.
“Early detection remains a priority in our efforts to address cancer care in the territory,” said Lyna Fredericks, PhD, who serves as the Chronic Disease Prevention Division Director at the VI Department of Health. “This year, we introduced the USVI Cancer Plan, which outlines our strategy to collaborate with government and community partners to tackle the cancer burden here in the Virgin Islands.”
The USVI Cancer Plan, which is available online at https://doh.vi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/US-Virgin-Islands-Cancer-Plan.pdf , emphasizes health equity, expanding access to care, and enhancing data collection to better guide decisions on programs and policies.
“However, even with these initiatives in place, women aged 40 and older must take the personal step of performing regular breast self-exams and scheduling annual mammograms,” VI Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said. “This month especially, we are urging all women aged 40 and older, and younger women with a family history of breast or other cancer, to prioritize getting their mammograms. It’s important to note that men can also get breast cancer. If there is a family history of breast cancer, we encourage them to speak with their healthcare provider.”