Fifteen new cancer victims recorded this year

Feb 14, 2015 News

To date, 25 persons are accessing treatment for various types of cancer at the Cancer Institute of Guyana (CIG), located in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) compound.
Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control- cell growth. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected.
This deadly disease harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissues called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where the cell prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream).
Every year, dozens of persons are diagnosed with different types of cancer across the country; some of them eventually die.
In Guyana, the most common types of cancer are cervical, breast, leukemia, prostate and colorectal according to Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Narendra Bhalla.
According to records from the Guyana Cancer Registry from 2000 to 2012, a total of 5,445 persons were diagnosed with different stages of breast cancer.
The total amount of persons diagnosed with other types of cancer could not be confirmed.
There are currently 15 persons, who joined the CIG this year, seeking treatment for various types and stages of cancer.
The country’s lone Cancer Institute is treating seven persons who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer; six persons with breast cancer; one person with larynx and another with naxiear.
According to Dr. Bhalla, cancer is a growing medical problem in Guyana and the number of persons who seek treatment continues to grow each month.
The Radiation Oncologist had told this newspaper that brain tumors and lung cancer are the most serious types of cancer while breast and prostate cancer are actually the “good type if they are caught at an early stage.”
He said that patients visit the institute when the cancer is at various stages. “Some come at stage four. When it is at that stage, the survival level is less and the treatment is also less.”
Dr. Bhalla said that once a patient has been diagnosed with cancer and undergoes surgery, he or she is supposed to have regular check-ups up for up to five years.
“Cancer can come back so we have to keep regular check-ups. After five years we can say it is cured,” Dr. Bhalla noted.
It is advised that women who are sexually active or are 18 years and older should have annual pap smears and pelvic examinations.

Latest News

Fifteen new cancer victims recorded this year

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Olympic Kremlin crowned Horse-of-the-Year at One Guyana Thoroughbred...

Guyana Squash Association celebrates historic...

Western Tigers will be 50 this year ‘2025’

UG Honours outstanding athletes at Annual Sports...

East Bank Pool Club set to Cue Off 2025...

Guyana Police Force Senior Officers defeat...

Features/Columnists

The government is in choppy waters

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Half price electricity by half year

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Fifteen new cancer victims recorded this year

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 27th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]