Dear Editor,
(No Woman, No, Please don’t Cry)… Fall (autumn) is finally here in the Northern Hemisphere which includes Guyana. It’s the period of transitioning from life to death for many plants, animals, insects and the weak. Winter is around the corner. Our creepy crawlers in the Amazon fair well even in the change of season, killed quite a few snakes in Providence, they were Warriors. I am not a Medical Doctor, but a well-trained Afro Guyanese technologist.
Something kept stunning me time and again. In technology we look for patterns and follow, repeat, or innovate them since it’s what grant us success in our trade. What was most shocking in my intimate discourse with over 40 women (between the ages of 21 and 45), some married, some not, was the pain, bloating, excessive bleeding and the diagnosis most have of “Fibrosis”, “Ovarian” or some form of “cervical” diagnosis. It affects all races in Guyana, but seem more prevalent with Afro Guyanese women and Amerindians. My analysis was random, so please don’t hold me accountable. Though I was in GT most were from Linden or Northwest, significant mining communities in the past. Also some were from Georgetown but could not have children.
I met one young woman at the Georgetown Hospital seeking my assistance for her 11-years’-old daughter diagnosed with cervical cancer, from the Northwest, I confirmed her diagnosis with her doctor! Some 10% of the women I met had children, but many could not. I guess being a politician at the time, some thought I had a solution or could help. Many women suffered between 8 to 14 days each month. Only to contemplate what’s coming the next 14 days. Most were diagnosed with fibroids by Guyanese local doctors. Dr. Anthony, there seems to be an epidemic of sizeable proportion in Guyana with a significant percentage of our women, most don’t openly speak about it, but take their monthly (blows) regimen of Panadol or bush remedy. Most husbands or significant other don’t really understand and some pursue a “spare tire” on the side as an alternative.
Women are hesitant to speak about it, since it is a hidden secret their mothers suffered from, hence why complain. I laud the progress of the HPV vaccine initiative in Guyana, however for many it’s too late. The HPV vaccine works best before a woman becomes sexually active not after the fact. We need to dig a bit deeper however, is it environmental, communicable or inherited. Let’s push a bit harder on the PAHO and WHO for additional assistance. I am hoping it’s not water, or mining activities contributing to this. Clearly, it’s not related to Exxon activities, I am referring to activities before that. There are many studies out there from the WHO, but space would not allow me to regurgitate.
I know of 6 women migrating from Guyana to the USA and dying within 2 years (42 years or younger), their uterus cancer had metastasized, spread to liver, lungs. Most doctors in the USA and Canada assume annual gynecological exams were conducted and initially misdiagnose the onset of cancer. Women also need to shoulder some responsibility. Gynecological care should be at least an annual event during child bearing age, not only when there is a problem, go get an a semiannual checkup.
Sincerely,
Everton D. Morris
