The initial goal of the project was the purchase of a Mobile Mammography Unit, however in the third year of fund-raising, the project was reviewed as it was felt that we were still some distance away from the ambitious financial target. Furthermore, with one in every eight women being afflicted with this disease (2002 statistic), the early detection of breast cancer through screening would have a more immediate, and meaningful impact. As such, free Breast Cancer Screening and support for women was considered and eventually adopted. Our new mission reads:

To ensure that every woman in Trinidad and Tobago who would like to have a Mammogram test can do so whether she can afford it or not.

Over US$100,000 has been raised through several fund-raising events hosted throughout the year, all under the umbrella of Scotiabank Women Against Breast Cancer Project:

• Ladies' Golf Tournament
• Women's 5K Classic
• Family Bike-A-Thon
• Spin-A-Thon
• Sale of Pink Ribbons
• Sale of T-shirts and other memorabilia.

The response and support from the public is tremendous; the largest all female 5K Classic took place in September 2007 with well over 4,000 participating in both Trinidad and Tobago.

The screening programme is facilitated at public health centres throughout Trinidad and Tobago, and through the Breast Cancer fund we are able to pay doctors and nurses to conduct the initial examinations. If necessary, we also pay for Mammograms and Ultrasound Tests, and should the medical result not be favourable, the Breast Cancer fund will also pay for psychological counselling for the patient and family.

Since its inception, the approach to this early detection programme has been three-pronged. One focus is to create awareness through the Bank's fund-raisers and Media Campaigns. The second is education via the Screening Clinics and the Doctor-to-patient sessions where the Doctor teaches the patient about Breast Self-Examinations and the third facilitates the Medical Examination.

Clinics have been well attended and the programme is well received. To date 5,616 women have benefited from the Scotiabank Breast Cancer Screening Programme, and 3,469 from mammograms and ultrasounds.