Screening only way to detect cancer
– JCI Guyana hosts cancer awareness dinner
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, October 27, 2018
The Cancer Institute of Guyana reminded members of JCI Guyana that screening is the only way to detect cancer.
On Saturday evening, Director of Outreach at the Cancer Institute, Dr Sayed Ghazi, presented on cancer awareness during a benefit dinner hosted by JCI Guyana at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara.
Dr Ghazi stressed the importance of early screening to detect cancer and save lives. “If you have this in mind … then you are delivered,” Dr Ghazi said.
Persons were also encouraged to get regular health check-ups. Dr Ghazi, quoting PAHO statistics, noted 120,000 women in South America die every year from cancer. Breast cancer is the number two leading cause of death, particularly among women. Dr Ghazi noted 92,000 persons die from breast cancer yearly.
The Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, is leading Guyana’s efforts in the fight against cancer. Recently, the Minister outlined her vision for countrywide access to cancer screening.
JCI Guyana’s President, Kevin Cornette, said part of the proceeds from the dinner will go towards the Cancer Institute.
Cornette explained his organisation has been hosting the cancer awareness dinner for the past six years in keeping with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. JCI’s mission is to seek solutions to better society’s problems.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Governments and civil society groups and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) use this annual observation to raise awareness about the disease and raise funds towards research for treatment and cure.
Tiffny Rhodius
Images: Jules Gibson