Spreading the message of breast self-examination: The first national level Triathlon Series in Sri Lanka

Breast cancer has been identified as a disease that claims the lives of three Sri Lankan women every day. Accordingly, the main objective of this competition was to spread the message throughout Sri Lanka that every woman above the age of 20 should perform a breast self-examination once a month in order to save the lives of mothers, sisters, wives and daughters whose lives are shortened daily by breast cancer. The competition was organised by combining swimming, cycling and running in the four cities of Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Matara and Colombo.

The triathlon competition thus held went down in history as the largest programme  ever organised for breast cancer awareness in Sri Lanka. The final phase of this series of programmes organised by the Indira Cancer Trust was successfully held on Sunday Nov.  16 at the Colombo Municipal Council premises with the support of the Governor of the Western Province, Hon. Hanif  Yusuf, the Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council, Hon. Vrai Kelly Balthasar, the Founder of the Indira Cancer Trust and former Speaker, Hon. Karu Jayasuriya, the Founder of the Roshan Mahanama Foundation, Mr. Roshan Mahanama, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Control Programme, professional medical schools and community partners including Rotary, Lions, Red Cross, Scouts and Girl Guides. 

In addition to the sports events, healthcare professionals and trained volunteers, using live demonstrations, educated participants on the TLC (TOUCH / LOOK / CHECK) method, an effective method for self-examination for early signs of breast cancer.

The organisers extended a special thanks  to the Indira Cancer Trust, established in memory of Mrs. Indira Jayasuriya, the daughter of former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who passed away after battling breast cancer.