First Lady Urges Early Detection and Comprehensive Care at Breast Cancer Symposium

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed emphasised the importance of a Maldives where early diagnosis and accessible treatment are the norm, and no woman faces breast cancer alone. 

She made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the sixth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Symposium on Thursday.

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Highlighting the unique journey of each patient, the First Lady said the courage and resilience of survivors and their families inspire ongoing efforts to improve early detection protocols and enhance the quality of care.

She praised recent shifts within the healthcare system towards a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, noting that patients now receive comprehensive care from teams that include mental health professionals, dietitians, physiotherapists, palliative care specialists, surgeons, and oncologists. This collaborative approach, she said, has improved outcomes, reduced suffering, and made patients’ journeys less painful.

The First Lady urged all women, particularly those aged 40 and above, to undergo annual mammograms and maintain vigilance between screenings. 

“Health is not a burden but a right,” she stressed, noting that many women often neglect their own wellbeing.

Expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Health, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, and frontline healthcare workers, she said improvements in medical care directly translate into lives and families saved.

The symposium gathers healthcare professionals, policymakers, and survivors to discuss advances in cancer treatment, preventative strategies, and innovations in care. This year’s event is held under the theme, “Every Patient’s Story is Unique; Every Patient’s Journey Matters.”