October is breast cancer awareness month, and the theme for this year is "Empower, Embrace and Educate: Together We Can Thrive Against Breast Cancer."

And educate is exactly what the Cancer Society did today by hosting a forum which featured four panelists, experts who provided insight and information surrounding breast cancer.

The secretary for the Belize Cancer Society describes it as an open environment where women from all entities and sectors can feel free to ask questions and find the answers that they need.

Jacqueline Roe, Secretary, Belize Cancer Society
"It's for information gathering and sharing to all aspects of our community, healthcare, doctor, nurseries, healthcare clinics in addition to insurance companies that are here. We also have the police wars, and several other organizations are here today. Belize city Council name so the reason for this forum is to share information to encourage prevention and also to talk about treatment."

"Belize Cancer Society in Belize city is mostly based on information sharing. We also do see patients and help patients on a one-on-one basis. We do fundraising activities because obviously everything requires funds. But essentially, we are responsible for sending messages about the different types of cancer and stress prevention and the education that surrounds prevention."

And with that, Dr Ellsworth Grant's presentation laid forth the cancer facts, myths, knowns and unknowns of the diagnosis he went on to further discuss and answer some of the most common questions and concerns from women living with breast cancer.

Dr Ellsworth Grant, Director, Belize Cancer Center Dangriga
"You know I think sometimes these conferences and the talks people give can be a little bit stiff and you know the audience might get some of the information but they tend to not retain it and I think in the format you do you might get them to think about it more and more to have more retention you know and inspire conversations with their family and friends."

"From someone with Cancer I think the most common question is how or why did I get this and for the most part I tend to discourage people from that because you're already there and you know let's tackle the problem and not look back. I'll explain to you why but don't let it be your focus as some people tend to have it be there. I think on the prevention side you know I don't think I tell anybody anything that's new I tell them about reinventing the wheel the things that you've heard they are more than likely true from the major organizations you know living a life of moderation and it's not. Everything to a certain degree can be bad for you even eating the quote on quote healthy diet can be bad for you if you do the calories in excess which can lead to obesity and all the disorders that come with that. I think everybody wants that one bullet answer but it's not that simple."

No simple answers, but there's a lot of information available and today's forum is only one of the many other activities that will be taking place over the course of these next few weeks.

Marsha Escarpeta, Treasurer, Belize Cancer Society
"We have on October 13 which is Sunday. We have a breast cancer awareness campaign launch and that will be at Vino tTnto restaurant. We will have a live performance by J Cas, it's a $100 I mean, we need all the money we can get. It includes an entrance glass of wine and tapas. So you guys can come out it starts at 6:00PM to 10:00 Pm and you can call the cancer Society to get tickets. We also have in November, the 16th the flavors of the jewel fashion show and that will be at Caribbean motors as well so you can call the cancer Society you can get tickets from there. It is $100 and you can come out and support us."

Tomorrow, the focus shifts to the nursing oncology conference and we'll have coverage of that.