GTT, the Ministry of Health and several non-governmental cancer support organizations are to sponsor more than 2500 free mammograms to members of the public who qualify.
Mammography is the process of using low-energy X-rays to examine the breast for diagnosis and screening.
A release yesterday from GTT said that to obtain a free voucher to undergo a mammogram examination, the person must first be pre-screened at any of the community health centres across the country or through any of the Champions of Hope NGOs offering pre-screening. A list of the Champions of Hope partners can be found on the GTT Pinktober website (https://www.gttpinktober.com/).
All women 40 years and above can be screened or any woman with a strong family history of breast cancer or high risk of ovarian cancer can be screened at an earlier age. Also, any male complaining of breast discomfort or has notable changes to the breast or surrounding area can also be screened, the release said.
The mammograms will be offered by The Cancer Institute, St Joseph Mercy Hospital and the Balwant Singh Hospital.
Programme Director for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health within the Ministry of Health, Dr Lachmie Lall, in an invited comment, lauded the initiative. “We continue to see GTT play an instrumental role in the fight against cancer and that is very commendable. What we are witnessing is the power of collaboration, which is the key to providing comprehensive care and support to individuals affected by cancer”, she said.
This year’s Pinktober campaign is themed “Many Hands, Caring Hearts”.
Caribbean Surgery Inc. has also joined the movement by offering free breast examinations throughout the entire month of October. Naresha Ramnauth, Chief Opera-tions Officer of Caribbean Surgery expressed the company’s commitment to the cause. “We are honoured to contribute to this important movement. By providing free breast examinations, we aim to encourage more people to take control of their health and get screened early”, she said.
Woodlands Hospital is also offering free assistance. The release said that the hospital is providing over 40 cancer screenings to the public through the Pinktober 2023 initiative, inclusive of breast ultrasound, pap smears, H&E, PSAs, and colonoscopy screening. Dr. Vilas Gobin, Managing Director of Woodlands Ltd., said that the company’s commitment is in keeping with its mission. “Our mission has always been to prioritize the well-being of our community. We are proud to be part of this collective effort, and we will continue to support cancer awareness and early detection in Guyana”.
The public is encouraged to participate in the Pinktober Walk/Run for a Cause and Health Fair on October 29, 2023, beginning at 6am at the Everest Cricket Ground and contribute to the cause by texting “Donate” to 620-2828.
