The significant decrease in the incidence of persons being diagnosed with breast cancer at a late-stage during the past two decades in Guyana can be attributed to increased awareness of the cancer, according to Cancer Institute of Guyana Director of Outreach Dr. Syed Ghazi.
Speaking at a press conference, held at the Cancer Institute of Guyana in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Ghazi said that in addition to observing the increase of early-stage breast cancer diagnosis, since 2006 he has also observed that a lot of younger women are getting screened for the various types of cancers.
Dr. Sayan Chakraborty, an Oncologist and Medical Director of the Institute, revealed that 110 persons have been diagnosed with breast cancer thus far for 2019. He supported Ghazi’s observations, saying that “more and more” young people are visiting the institute for cancer screening but some breast cancer patients are still going to the institute when the cancer is in its fourth stage.
Chakraborty also said that an average of the total number of patients being treated annually for cancer is 250 and above. It was also noted that 267 persons were diagnosed with cancer in 2015, 266 in 2016 and 300 in 2017.
Due to the fact that awareness has played a large part in early-stage diagnosis, Chakraborty and Ghazi said the institute will be hosting a number of activities in order to promote awareness during the latter part of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month. “The first step persons can take to fight cancer is to start awareness. From awareness, people can come for screening after which they are diagnosed. Only then treatment can start. If you are sitting at home, it will not be treated and this walk is to promote awareness about cancer in general,” Chakraborty stated.
One of the planned activities is the Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, which is sponsored by Oasis Premium Purified Waters. The walk, which will take place on October 20th, will be held under the theme “We Walk as One.”
Chakraborty stated that the walk and other activities are not about financial gains but rather about raising awareness. He encouraged persons to participate. Guyana Beverages General Manager Samuel Arjune added that with every purchase of the Oasis Premium Purified Waters pink label, part of the profits will be donated to the Cancer Institute. Further, Arjune said he is hoping the company can garner more than a million dollars, which will all go to the Cancer institute. In addition, the company will be sponsoring jerseys, which participants will be wearing during the walk and bands. Jerseys will be on sale at the Cancer Institute. The bands will be free upon purchase of the jersey.
Other planned activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month include a “Wear it Pink Day,” which will be observed on October 18th and a candle light Vigil, which will be held on October 25th at Cuffy square from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
Meanwhile, Ghazi, revealed that the annual national outreach as it relates to cancer will be commencing on October 26th in Region One. He said the goal is to screen at least 1,000 women in the country’s 10 regions. Focus will be placed on the hinterland areas.
The outreach is to be funded purely by sponsorship. Ghazi said that they have asked and are still asking companies to sponsor the screenings that will be held around the country. He revealed that the outreach is being done across the Caribbean. Further, he said, there are hundreds of persons around the country that cannot be saved and it’s not due to limited funds. He said, some persons are not aware of what they are suffering from, hence the importance of the outreach.
“This fight is the fight for humanity… It is important to sponsor the needy and poor patients to come here. A lot of them do not enter the hospital because they don’t have money. Anybody can donate,” he added.
Ghazi also emphasised that it is important to relieve psychological stress, which is caused by the constant fear of persons thinking that they are suffering from cancer. He noted that women over 45 years are more at risk than persons in their 20s and the older women should be screened every year, as it relates to breast cancer. Further, he said the women in their 20s should be doing a monthly self-examination, which is taught at the Institute.
