KINGSTON, Jamaica – Since introducing a National Health Fund subsidy for the Breast Cancer Receptor studies test last October, only 46 people have benefited from the initiative.

The disclosure was made by NHF Chairman Sterling Soares, who was speaking today at an event to announce the addition of sickle cell disease to the NHF Individual Benefits Programme at the New Kingston Conference Centre in Kingston.

He said the NHF is now on a drive to educate physicians about the Breast Cancer Receptor studies benefit, so “we can grow the number of persons diagnosed with breast cancer, receiving the subsidy”.

It was announced last October that breast cancer patients registered with the NHF could have the study done at a reduced cost at the University Hospital of the West Indies Pathology Laboratory.

The diagnostic test that would normally cost J$10,000 is now subsidised by J$4,800 per test.

It was reported last year that approximately 300 Breast Cancer Receptor studies are done yearly.

“This test is essential for the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of breast cancer,” Soares said today.

Anika Richards