– in continued effort to promote breast and cervical cancer awareness The Ministry of Health yesterday held a walk from the Square of the Revolution and culminating with a rally at the East La Penitence Health Centre, in an effort to continue promoting breast and cervical cancers. The walk was attended by Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, staff of the Regional Health Services and health care givers.

While at the health centre, Dr. Ramsaran noted that the  ministry is heightening its activities so as to increase awareness of breast and cervical cancers among Guyanese women.
It is recognised that there are women who are unaware of cervical cancer, and as such, awareness in this area is being promoted along with breast cancer.
He emphasized that women can have a VIA – visual inspection using acetic acid, thereby ensuring early detection and treatment.
Dr. Ramsaran urged women to have medical check-ups to ensure they are in good health and are fully aware of health complications that can affect them.   
He expressed his gratitude for participation by two corporate entities, Digicel and AVON, for aiding the Ministry in its awareness campaign.
To further heighten awareness, the Ministry in collaboration with Guyana Fashion Weekend, will be staging a walk on October 23 starting from the Umana Yana and ending at the City Mall, where Ministry of Health staff, officials and the participants of Guyana Fashion Week will interact with citizens, focusing on the issue.
These ‘awareness ambassadors’ were previously engaged in a two-day workshop facilitated by the Health Ministry preparing them for their role. They were enlightened about the dynamics of breast and cervical cancers and the anatomy of the breast, enabling them to be effective advocates.  
Minister Ramsaran urged the women in attendance to spread the awareness message with their friends and families.
Booths were also set up allowing those at the rally to access information about breast and cervical cancers and self-examination.
The Health Ministry has adopted a new approach in its breast cancer awareness campaign; this has resulted in a partnership with the Coordinator of Guyana Fashion Weekend Sonia Noel and the Mabaruma Heritage committee. This partnership has led to the promotion of breast cancer in fashion shows and pageants. (GINA)