– to host several outreach activities in various Regions

CERVICAL Cancer has been one of the leading causes of death across the world, and the seriousness of this disease has not gone unnoticed locally, with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) being the latest organisation to take a step to raise awareness about the disease.

According to a press statement from GTT, the company has collaborated with the Ministry of Public Health’s Chronic Disease Unit to raise awareness on cervical cancer prevention and promote Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening and treatment. This initiative coincides with Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed in January every year.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Cervical Cancer as a disease that starts in the cells of the cervix. When cervical cancer first appears, there are no symptoms and the woman is entirely unaware that a deadly disease process has started in her body. Later, as the cancer grows, there may be pelvic pain and bleeding.

According to the WHO, cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women with an estimated 570,000 new cases in 2018 representing 6.6 per cent of all female cancers.
Approximately 90 per cent of deaths from cervical cancer occurred in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO’s conclusion is that the high mortality rate from cervical cancer globally could be reduced through a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early diagnosis, effective screening and treatment programmes.

In taking a step towards raising awareness about the disease, GTT has pledged its support towards the Chronic Disease Unit’s awareness/screening project. GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, said that it was the first cancer awareness project GTT had pledged its support to for this year, and the company was set to support many more cancer awareness projects throughout the year.

“Too many women have lost their lives because of the late diagnosis of cancer. Not only their families are affected, but the entire nation feels the effect,” the Pinktober Coordinator said.

Gittens encouraged all women between ages 21 to 65 to stay on top of their health by getting regular pap smears or VIA screenings.

“We will continue the chant that early detection saves lives, because we want to save and help as much persons in Guyana to fight against cancer,” she said.
Doctor at the Chronic Disease Unit and Coordinator of the event, Dr. Martin Campbell said he was grateful for GTT’s partnership on the project.

“GTT, in the last few years, has always showed a key interest in cancer awareness. I am pleased that they have extended their reach to benefit all types of cancer and not only limit the support to breast cancer awareness,” Dr. Campbell said.

He added: “this observance is very important because cervical cancer is the second highest reported cancer in Guyana and we happy to have GTT’s support. We encourage all women to take advantage of our VIA screening outreach.”

Campbell said the unit started it’s VIA screening outreach at Goed Intent Health Center and will continue this drive at various health centers in regions Three, Four, and Five.
The cervical cancer awareness activities will conclude with a grand health fair on Main Street, on February 4, from 09:00 hours to 15:00 hours.