The chances for treatment are drastically being narrowed by cancer patients who only seek medical attention in the latter stages of the disease, according to Oncologist Sayan Chakraborty of the Cancer Institute of Guyana.
Dr Chakraborty stated that more and more patients are visiting the institute in the advanced stages of different types of cancer. This, he said, limits the option for treatment, even though the institute is fully equipped to treat patients.
He said the cancer in some of these patients is metastatic, thereby reducing the chances of survival.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Guyana, a Ministry of Health 2004 to 2011 report revealed. Cervical, breast and prostate cancers were listed as the ones with the highest incident rates.
Chakraborty noted that most of the patients visiting the institute have either breast cancer or cervical cancer. He emphasized that their chances of survival are decreased not because there is a lack of facilities or finances but because of their minimal awareness of the disease.
He said some people are aware of the early signs of cancer in certain parts of their bodies but would ignore these warning signs, either because they are too afraid to accept their illness or because they believe the treatment is too aggressive and chances of survival are slim.
“The word cancer strikes fear in our hearts and despair. The moment we understand we have cancer the skies break apart,” he said, while imploring people to screen themselves early for cancer.
“I would like to emphasise that people come to us much more early. If the patient comes to us in a less advanced stage, we can help them,” he said, while noting that there were many patients that he treated who are now living completely normal and healthy lives.
“I know patients who came to me in India and now 10 years later are living,” he said further.
Chakraborty indicated that women should check themselves monthly for signs of breast cancer. “When you notice a lump in your breast I see no point in delaying seeing a doctor,” he stated. “If you sit at home and get scared and do nothing ultimately nothing would be done,” he declared.
He also noted that a foul discharge from the vagina and bleeding, especially after sex, are tell-tale signs of cervical cancer.
The Institute has recorded an average of five new patients daily, with 35 patients for radiation treatment and approximately 25 every month for chemotherapy.
“The awareness is the most important part of therapy for cancer. People need to be more aware,” Chakraborty said, highlighting that the institute holds public talks to educate the population about early signs of cancers.
Chakraborty is the institute’s new full-time Oncologist and he has treated over 1,000 patients in India over the last 10 years.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012.The number of new cases is expected to rise by 70% over the next two decades.
