Free Breast Cancer Screenings

The Ministry of Health's National Epidemiology Unit reported in 2025 that invasive ductal carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women in Saint Lucia.

This type of breast cancer begins in the milk ducts and can spread beyond the breast. The World Health Organisation says breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide.

However, survival rates vary significantly depending on where a woman lives. The WHO estimates that 41.9 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in low-income countries are expected to survive at least five years, compared with 87.3 per cent in high-income countries.

The WHO attributes these disparities to late diagnosis and access to timely, high-quality treatment. Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity for renewed attention to screening and early detection services in Saint Lucia.

Free breast cancer screenings are available through wellness centres, hospitals, and Universal Health Coverage programme partnering facilities. Health practitioners warn that breast cancer may not always cause symptoms in its early stages.

When signs do emerge, they may include a lump or thickening in the breast, changes in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast, or unusual discharge from the nipple. The public can contact Wellness Centres for more information on the no-cost screenings.

The Universal Health Coverage programme partnering facilities include community wellness centres, district polyclinics, and hospitals. After a primary healthcare provider refers a patient, they can receive free mammograms at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex and St Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort.