By Naomi Marshall

OVER 200 Lindeners benefitted from health services and information when the Ministry of Public Health staged a Cancer Awareness Concert in the mining town of Linden.
On Saturday, at noon, the Cancer Awareness Concert which aimed to raise awareness of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination, kicked off with a health fair at the Linden Mackenzie Market Square; the event also focused on bringing awareness to Breast, Prostate and Cervical Cancer.

The HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus has the potential to develop genital warts and cancer, in particular, cervical cancer, among women.

Medical officer attached to the Adolescent Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health, Faqueeda Watson-Jones, said it was observed that Guyana’s cancer rate is high, with the types related to the HPV being the most outstanding ones, such as cervical cancer.
However, HPV can be avoided by getting a HPV vaccine.
Jones noted that both boys and girls between the ages of nine to 16 are currently being vaccinated at all health facilities in Guyana. Guyana is one of five Caribbean countries that offer free HPV vaccines.
She added: “The vaccine is free of cost; there is no significant side effect. The only side effects that you have are, like any typical vaccine, we would have received in our lifetime — pain, swelling and redness.”

Delivering the feature remarks at the event on behalf of Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Campbell noted that many types of cancer can be prevented, either through lifestyle choices or vaccination; and “so everyone has a significant role to play in partnering with health workers and God, to either prevent cancers or other chronic diseases.”
Campbell added: “We must ensure that we and our children are healthy, so we can live long lives to reap the fruits of our labour….We can protect ourselves and loved ones by eating well, eating fruits and vegetables, daily drink six to eight glasses of water, avoiding sugary drinks and sodas and trans-fat, exercise regularly, avoid exposure to tobacco and avoid excessive use of alcohol.”
She also encouraged persons to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated to protect them from “some diseases that are life-threatening and preventable.”

The event consisted of 16 health booths including, the Adolescent Health Unit, Pure Educators, the Linden Hospital Complex, Women on the Move, Environmental Health, Dental Health, and the Women’s Health booth, among others.
Attendees were treated to performances by local singers Brandon Harding, Renee Winter, Malika Boyd, Dexter Copeland, Clement Glasgow and Colwin Blair, among others. There was also an open segment where students of Linden got the chance to play their part in bringing awareness to cancer and the HPV vaccination through dance, songs, skits and poetry.

Cancer survivor, Shonette Belgrave, also shared a touching story of her victory over the disease.
Jones, meanwhile, is encouraging the whole of Guyana to take their health seriously. She said: “As a medical doctor, I want to encourage our brothers and sisters that it is important that we take our health seriously. If you realise that you are not getting better with any sign or symptoms you present with, please visit your nearest health centre or the nearest hospital, because when you actually decide to go it might be too late, especially when it comes to cancer, because cancer is prevalent.”
“For the women, please look at your breast, accept your breast and enjoy looking at it, so you would know what is normal from when something abnormal happens you can be able to pick it up. Know what is happening to your body, love your body, understand your body and respect your body,” Jones encouraged.