Cancer Foundation impacts over 150 with free screening
Founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF), Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan
Founder of the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF), Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan

By Lisa Hamilton

WITH the help of donor organisations, the Guyana Cancer Foundation (GCF) has provided approximately 150 free breast-cancer screenings and some 20 prostate- cancer screenings from October 2019 to July 2020.

Just recently, the foundation announced the end of the free screenings, but noted that it plans to recommence by October 2020. The free offer was made available at the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital in Georgetown.

Speaking with this newspaper on Monday, founder of the GCF, Bibi Saeedah Akhtar Hassan,, said that though the free screenings for prostate cancer were made available to men, more women showed interest in the cancer-related screenings for breast cancer.

She said that she is pleased that more women are beginning to view early screening for breast cancer as important; though the recommended age for mammograms is 40-45 years, studies show that, though rare, breast cancer can be diagnosed for those in their 30s.

“What you find is that a lot of people are getting fibroadenomas, which is fibroids of the breast; it’s a fatty tissue in the breast. A lot of young women who did the screening they have it. I had to refer them to the oncology department and to private doctors,” Hassan said.

When it comes to the men, the GCF is disappointed that they are not taking the matter as seriously as possible.

Hassan said: “Even though I do the free screening, although I refer them to doctors, they don’t go and I don’t know why. More men need to take this seriously.” Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, but there is a known stigma in Guyana associated primarily due to the ‘Digital Rectal Examination.’

For now, the Guyana Cancer Foundation through its donors assists only with breast- cancer and prostate- cancer screening. Screening for cancers such as brain cancer is very expensive, so the foundation operates within its means. Hassan is hopeful that with more donors on board, the GCF can cater for more types of cancer- screening for those who cannot afford to pay.

Apart from the free screening, the foundation also has a Cancer Survivor Club of about 28 members with only one male represented. Persons who have survived brain cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer and cervical cancer are involved. Hassan said that the club serves as a motivational support group for survivors, some of whom have had to revert to chemotherapy because of re-emerging cancer cells.

Because of COVID-19, the Cancer Foundation’s customary Cancer Walk has been postponed. It is hoped that other activities such as the tree- wrapping, candle light vigil and the church service will be possible closer to the end of the year.

Hassan encourages all Guyanese who meet the required age to get tested for breast and prostate cancer, as these are two of the most common types of cancers in Guyana. Others include cervical and uterine cancer. The GCF founder encouraged: “Early detection helps save lives. [We are] in it to end it.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.