Getting to the ‘Breast of the Matter

Oct 04, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,
At a recent ceremony to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Resident Representative of PAHO/WHO, Dr. William Adu Krow familiarized the Guyanese populace with the ensuing mortality rate once the diagnosis was made.
With his attention focused on Guyana, he emphasized that the leading causes of female cancer -related deaths were breast, uterine and cervical cancer. Pursuant to his continued speculation on breast cancer Dr. Adu Krow divulged that in terms of both death and new cases mammary cancer rates as the first.
It was further predetermined that by 2030 the number of newly diagnosed females with cancer would increase by 46%; a sad diagnosis enmeshed in a morbid prognosis. Even more despairing is the absence of any information/data regarding progress made since the launching in 2015 of the 10-year Cancer Surveillance Programme, when once again the cancer situation in Guyana was extensively highlighted.
At the time based on the number of deaths from cancer, it was surmised that the country was in dire need of a comprehensive cancer programme. A Cancer Registry designed specifically to bring awareness to the cancer situation in Guyana was created in 2000, the brainchild of Dr. Walter Chin.
Now the genius behind the collection, submission and consequent setting in motion of an innovative Cancer Surveillance Report at Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown, on July 15, 2015 was the Director of Disease Control within the Ministry of Health, Drs. Morris Edwards, Karen Cummings, George Norton and PAHO/ WHO Representative Dr. Adu–Krow, and a wide cross-section of health officials. Missing in action at the time was a slated plan.
The projected increase alluded to by 2030 by the PAHO/ WHO representative regarding the number of newly diagnosed women with cancer paints a picture so grim, that even health fanatics would stop and take note.
That being said, one is logically led to summon a response to the poignant question, “What demonstrable progress has been made known or shown -since 2015? Is Dr. Adu Crow aware of either the results or the progress?
Guyana cannot afford to allow the scourge of cancer to rob her not only of her females, but also the future leaders from being suckled. What cancer preventive measures are currently in place to lower the risk?
It is apparent that there is a whole lot of talking, a fair amount of marauding and very little (if any) walking. For noticeably absent from the equation was reference to the screening of females with a family history of breast cancer, or the presence of a contributory socio-demographic/ environmental element.
Is the nation fully aware of the known risk factors? A considerable degree of emphasis should be accorded the latter-mentioned facet.
As Dr. Adu Crow, the WHO Representative clearly stated that the rising cancer incidents, along with disproportionate high morbidity rate continue to impact the well-being of families.
Cancer, like domestic violence cannot be allowed to join the list of female assassinators. We must from now begin to view the bigger picture and ensure that it is the picture that the public sees.
Where does all this leave us? It is evident that the bull needs to be taken by the horns, and greater attention paid to the problem, with an aim to lowering the projected morbidity rates, by commencing education from the very young.
Education should start from the very young. On a further note of inquiry, despite the fact that there was no mention made, breast cancer is not specifically a woman’s disease. Have there been any reported cases of male ductal carcinoma in Guyana?
Let it not be forgotten that males have breasts just like women, and although they are not as well developed as the female, cancer can also occur although less frequently. Women do not hold the monopoly for breast cancer.

Y. Sam.

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