Health officials in Solomon Islands have raised concerns about low breast cancer screening rates as the country begins its 2026 awareness campaign.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services launched Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara on 14 October, with support from the Solomon Islands Australia Partnership for Health.
Acting Permanent Secretary for Health Dr Gregory Jilini said breast cancer was the most common cancer affecting women in Solomon Islands. He cited estimates of about 128 diagnoses and 47 deaths each year.
He said new breast cancer patients requiring chemotherapy at the National Referral Hospital rose from 39 in 2019 to 99 in 2022. The figures do not, by themselves, establish whether overall breast cancer incidence has increased.
Despite having mammography equipment and trained staff, the hospital carried out only 190 mammograms between January and June 2026, an average of about 32 each month.
Barriers to early treatment
Dr Jilini said some women sought medical attention only when their cancer had reached an advanced stage, when treatment could be more difficult.
He identified fear, stigma, lack of awareness and financial pressures among the reasons women delayed seeking help.
“Behind every number is a woman with a family, hopes for the future and people who depend on her,” he said.
The ministry is encouraging women who notice a lump or an unusual breast change to seek medical advice promptly rather than wait for a screening campaign.
Breast cancer survivor Yvvonne Ogaoga also shared her experience at the launch, highlighting the importance of awareness and support for women living with the disease.
The awareness campaign is scheduled to run from 14 October to 7 November 2026. The ministry has not provided an age-based screening eligibility guide or a detailed schedule of screening locations in its statement.
