Breast cancer awareness month

It is October 2020 and nothing could have prepared us for an October breast cancer awareness month that’s so different than normal.

Last year, we had the brilliant idea of producing a breast cancer awareness eighteen minute video. Today we can confirm that the funds invested in this project, which was called ‘ Know the Signs’, were truly gold.

This year, we are passing through a time which shows us just how vulnerable we are.

In the past years, members of the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation would visit places of work, schools, local councils, band clubs and whoever else sought to empower and invest in development programmes for us to give a talk. But this does not happen today due to the Covid19 pandemic.

However, thanks to technology, we are sending the below links to all those who contact us to offer a donation, as we feel that it’s only fair to give something significantly back that ultimately can save a life.

There are people out there who might be worried about breast cancer, who may feel something that causes them concern. Due to Covid-19, people might be afraid to wait in a waiting room at a doctor’s clinic, and thus the general hurdles and their fear is amplified.

I urge all those who received the invite from the National Breast Screening service to accept and not ignore it. Although Malta is now experiencing a rise in Covid-19 cases, if anyone feels that there is something wrong with their breasts they must take action and head to their family doctor or to the Mater Dei Breast Clinic. Yes, wear your mask or a visor and do the right thing primarily for yourself and your loved ones. I can understand that people might be more preoccupied with other things at this time, given the Covid-19 pandemic, but carrying out a breast self-examination should not take a backseat.

Unfortunately I receive phone calls from breast cancer survivors who are waiting for breast reconstruction and other related surgeries. It all seems to have been shelved and this is effecting them considerably emotionally and psychologically. I am afraid that ultimately, we shall be paying a price for all this in terms of more aggressive treatments or, dare I say, life loss. We keep reminding people not to miss mammogram appointments and to conduct breast self-examinations while having a shower.

Those who feel they need professional psychological or counselling support please contact us through our website, from where those in need can download an application and send it to our centre in Mosta.

Another important issue that has been bothering me for quite some time is the VAT charge on the breast prosthesis and the mastectomy brassieres. I’ve been writing to the VAT department, the Ministry of Finance and attending meetings at the Ministry of Health, but this has been to no avail. Both the Breast prosthesis and the mastectomy bras when bought from the retailer are supposed to be classified as care items and thus the VAT element should not apply.

Mastectomy bras/swimsuits fall under HS Code 62121090. We as patients are unjustly suffering having to pay 18% VAT when these items are used in conjunction with the relevant breast prosthesis identified under HS Code 90213990; it does not make any sense that breast cancer patients have to pay VAT on these items. We are aware that in other EU Member states, there exists a system of exemptions / refunds at point of sale to us as qualifying patients /clients.

I would like to know what the VAT department has to say about such a medical care item, where suppliers are unjustly charging VAT on supposedly zero rated mastectomy brassieres and breast prosthesis?

The Action for Breast Cancer Foundation will see to the end of this discrimination at government level as this would help us patients not only financially, but also lead to a better quality of life.

In the meantime, the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation would like to urge all those that would like to be more knowledgeable about breast health to watch the below videos / infographics. They might save your life!