Beyond Pink: H&L Agro puts breast health and early detection in focus

H&L Agro is turning Breast Cancer Awareness Month into a call to action, bringing screening, education and survivor stories together to encourage employees to take charge of their breast health.

At the heart of the initiative is a vital message that early detection can save lives, and awareness must go beyond wearing pink to seeking screening, recognising unusual changes, and following through on recommended medical tests.

The initiative also created an opportunity for four breast cancer survivors, Latoya Jones, Kaydia McKoy, Jean Archer, and Hygena Reid, to share their experiences, putting human stories behind a disease that continues to affect women and families across Jamaica.

Yanique Wauchope, senior human resource officer at H&L Agro, said the campaign is about making breast cancer awareness personal and ensuring that employees understand the importance of supporting one another.

“The objective of the launch is to spread awareness because breast cancer affects someone we know. It is a good initiative that allows us to get our staff involved in the conversation while showing support for those who have been diagnosed and those who have survived the disease,” Wauchope said.

She explained that the initiative goes beyond wearing pink or acknowledging the month on the calendar. H&L Agro wants employees to have access to information, opportunities for screening, and meaningful conversations that can help them make informed decisions about their health.

“We have arranged mammogram testing and created a space where employees can learn more about breast cancer, ask questions, and better understand the importance of taking care of their breast health,” Wauchope said.

“They will also have the opportunity to hear directly from someone who has gone through the experience. Sometimes, hearing another person’s story helps you to understand that there is life after cancer and that people can find strength and hope even after a difficult diagnosis,” she added.

The activities are scheduled to run throughout October, providing employees with opportunities to engage with the campaign and learn more about breast cancer.

Wauchope said the initiative also recognises the emotional impact of a diagnosis and the importance of creating an environment in which people feel supported rather than isolated.

Roshane Reid-Koomson, executive director of the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS), welcomed H&L Agro’s commitment to employee health, describing the initiative as an example of how private-sector organisations can contribute to the wider fight against breast cancer.

“The breast cancer awareness session at H&L Agro was especially heartening. I was encouraged to see the management team, led by the HR Department, make breast health a priority for its employees,” Reid-Koomson said.

She pointed to the practical measures being taken by the company, including education, arrangements for staff mammograms at a private facility, and a donation drive. Proceeds from the donations will be shared between the JCS and Jamaica Reach to Recovery, which supports people affected by breast cancer.

Reid-Koomson said the session was particularly meaningful because it brought home the reality that cancer affects more than the person who receives the diagnosis.

“What touched me most was hearing about staff members navigating abnormal results and cancer diagnoses, as well as one colleague’s family experiencing the loss of a loved one. It reminded us that behind every workplace role is a person and a family,” she said.

“I applaud H&L Agro for putting peple at the centre of its approach to human resources. Supporting employees’ health is also part of building a healthier workplace,” she added.

However, the call for early detection comes against a backdrop of challenges with the availability and affordability of breast screening services.

fear and misinformation

Reid-Koomson said cost remains a significant barrier for some Jamaican women. At the time of her comments, the JCS’s mammography machine was out of service, requiring the organisation to refer women to private facilities for screening.

Although the organisation has maintained its subsidised screening fee at $6,500, private facilities receiving referrals charge between $8,000 and $20,000. Some women struggle to meet the additional cost, potentially delaying screening. Equipment downtime at some referral facilities has also affected access.

“Cost and access remain major barriers,” she said, noting that dependable equipment, affordable screening services, and clear referral and follow-up arrangements are needed to ensure that women can access care when they need it.

She also identified fear and misinformation as factors that discourage some women from getting screened. Concerns about discomfort during mammography and radiation exposure can prevent women from taking that important step.

While the experience varies from person to person, Reid-Koomson said women should discuss their concerns with a healthcare professional, who can explain the procedure and answer questions.

Reliable screening services across both public and private facilities are needed, she stressed, so that cost, distance and equipment problems do not prevent women from accessing mammography.

Beyond the question of access, Reid-Koomson urged women to become familiar with what is normal for their breasts and to seek professional advice promptly when they notice something unusual.

Changes that warrant assessment include a new lump or thickening, a change in breast size or shape, skin dimpling or unusual nipple discharge.

Not every breast change is cancer, but it is important not to dismiss an unusual finding or wait until the next scheduled screening appointment before seeking advice.

Women should also follow screening recommendations appropriate to their age and personal risk, including their family health history, and complete any additional tests recommended by their healthcare providers.

Reid-Koomson said Breast Cancer Awareness Month should serve as a reminder to make breast health a year-round priority rather than an issue to be revisited only in October.

She encouraged women to attend recommended appointments, report changes promptly, and follow through when examinations or mammograms lead to recommendations for further imaging or a biopsy.

Lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting or avoiding alcohol, can also help reduce breast cancer risk. These measures cannot prevent every case, but they contribute to overall health.

personal stories

One of the most powerful elements of H&L Agro’s initiative was the opportunity to hear directly from women who have faced breast cancer.

Jones, McKoy, Archer and Reid shared their personal stories, reminding employees that behind every diagnosis is an individual whose experience may involve uncertainty, difficult decisions, treatment and recovery.

Jones’ journey began when she was just 19 years old. Her experience highlights how breast cancer can affect young women as well as older women, underscoring the importance of paying attention to changes in the body and seeking medical advice when something does not seem right.

The survivors’ participation also reinforced the importance of emotional support throughout the cancer journey. Hearing from someone who has navigated the experience can help people facing a diagnosis feel less alone, while encouraging others to take their health concerns seriously.

Reid-Koomson acknowledged that fear is understandable, particularly for women who have never had a mammogram or who are worried about what a screening might reveal. However, she urged them not to let that fear prevent them from seeking information and care.

An abnormal result, she emphasised, does not automatically mean cancer. It indicates that further assessment may be necessary, making it important to attend follow-up appointments and ask questions.

Women already undergoing treatment should also be reminded that they do not have to manage the experience alone. Families, employers and communities can provide practical assistance by accompanying them to appointments, helping with everyday responsibilities, listening without judgement, and respecting their needs and privacy.

Reid-Koomson’s message to women is to take their breast health seriously, seek professional advice when changes occur, and follow through with recommended screening and testing. Employers and communities, meanwhile, have a role to play in creating environments where health concerns can be addressed openly and support is available when it is needed.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com