Guyana has highest incidence of cancer mortality in the Region

Feb 10, 2017 News

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-cervical cancer accounts for more cancer deaths among women

Guyana currently has the highest incidence of cancer-related mortality when compared to the Caribbean Region. This is according to data released by the Ministry of Public Health.

Based on the Ministry’s data, Guyana ranks highest with an incidence rate of 46.9 percent and a mortality rate of 21.0 per 100,000 persons. In fact, in Guyana, cervical cancer alone kills an estimated 100 women every year, making it the leading cause of cancer mortality among local women.
The global state of affairs is farther reaching with some 530,000 new cases of cervical cancer detected annually and killing approximately 266,000 women or 50.2 per cent of the total cancer victims.
To arrest the challenge here, Public Health Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence, is touting earlier screening of Guyanese to help reduce the locally recorded deaths from cancers.
Minister Lawrence is worried that if the cancer related mortality trend continues, generations of Guyanese will grow up not knowing close family members.
“I not only have a message to the women but I have a message to the men also. Your family needs you and they need you in the best of health and we want you to be able to be around for your grandchildren and great grandchildren and if possible great, great grandchildren,” said the Minister during a recent screening activity at the Giftland Mall at Turkeyen.
The Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) in a 2012 report said cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, globally, with approximately 14 million new cases.
During this year’s observance of World Cancer Day, the Public Health Ministry collaborated with a number of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the private sector to host cervical cancer screening through Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid (VIA) method and sensitization sessions.
Cervical cancer, a cancer arising from the cervix, is linked to several risk factors, mainly the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), chlamydia infection, early sexual activity and multiple sexual partners.
Recently, a team from the Ministry of Public Health conducted medical outreaches in Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne); Kabacaburi, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Sophia, Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica).
Some 67 women had their VIA done; five were detected with cancerous lesions. They were treated and rescheduled for follow-up examination in two years. Medical outreaches were also rolled out at the Periwinkle Club, Alberttown, Georgetown, with over 45 persons benefiting from VIA screening, blood pressure and random blood sugar testing.
The medical team spearheaded yet another outreach recently at Giftland Mall and Bounty Supermarkets over the weekend where hundreds of persons traversing the mall and supermarkets were presented with brochures and flyers and were educated on the various types of cancers. The weekend sessions were done in collaboration with the Giving Hope Foundation.
The Ministry of Public Health is currently fine-tuning a comprehensive cancer prevention and control programme for the country. This will aid in ensuring that common risk factors for cancers, such as tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets are addressed.
When the Ministry of Public Health released a Cancer Surveillance Report in 2015 which highlighted the recorded state of cancer over the period 2003-2012, it was revealed that in excess of 6,000 individuals were diagnosed with cancer.
It was reported, then, that while on a global scale lung cancer was deemed the leading cause of cancer deaths; in Guyana breast cancer was responsible for the highest number of cancer related fatalities. Cervical cancer has reportedly since taken the lead.
The Cancer Surveillance Report had revealed that there were 1,090 cases of breast cancer over the period under consideration in the report. Following the prevalence of breast cancer was cancer of the cervix which accounts for 1,014 cases; prostate (865 cases); colo-rectal (440 cases); uterus (325 cases); stomach (240 cases); lung (233 cases); liver (219 cases); ovary (212 cases) and lymphoma (136 cases).
Data out of the Cancer Registry, drawn from both public and private medical institutions, suggest that since access to treatment has been near non-existent more than half of those inflicted with the disease died.
Resident Representative of PAHO/WHO, Dr. Williams Adu-Krow, noted that like Guyana some 50 percent of countries in the Americas do not have in place cancer programmes.
Even as he reiterated the need to raise awareness about cancers, the PAHO/WHO Rep. pointed out that while globally it is said that 40 percent of all cancers can be prevented, 30 percent can in fact be cured altogether.
“If we have 80 percent of our cancers not having any history of having being treated and 40 percent of all cancers can be prevented, I think it stands to reason that we have to pay more attention to prevention,” said Dr. Adu-Krow as he also stressed the need for early screening and treatment. He also emphasized PAHO/WHO’s commitment to continuing to help Guyana’s effort to address the cancer situation.

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