FEBRUARY 4, 2025, marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of Paris Against Cancer at the World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium.
This year’s World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique,” serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse experiences of individuals living with cancer and the vital role of collective action in combating this disease.
In Guyana, the Presidential Commission on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) recognizes the unique struggles of cancer patients and their families, re-inforcing the urgent need for comprehensive, people-centred cancer care.

Guyana has made significant strides in the fight against cancer, with notable advancements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. The increase in cancer-related services at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is evidence of these efforts. Currently, GPHC records an average of 50 new cancer patients each month, with approximately 500 patients undergoing active chemotherapy by the end of 2024.

The expansion of chemotherapy services to the New Amsterdam Hospital has alleviated the burden on patients and their families. Approximately 100 patients now receive chemotherapy at New Amsterdam after their initial treatment at GPHC.
The Presidential Commission commends this development and strongly urges the Ministry of Health (MoH) and GPHC to extend similar services to Linden Hospital (Region 10) and Suddie Hospital (Region 2) in 2025.

Another crucial milestone is the addition of four new mammography machines in the public health sector through collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This expansion allows for increased breast cancer screening, facilitating early detection and improved treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the newly enhanced pathology lab at GPHC has bolstered diagnostic capacity, ensuring wider access to early cancer screening.

Enhancing Screening and Prevention Efforts
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Cancer prevention and screening rates fall short of national targets. The Commission calls on the MoH to establish target populations for gastric, cervical, breast, lung, and prostate cancers and to ensure Guyana achieves a 90% screening rate of the target population by World Cancer Day 2026. This ambitious goal requires urgent prioritization and nationwide mobilization.

The integration of cancer prevention into Guyana’s Universal Health Care (UHC) model is a vital step toward sustainable healthcare. The Commission acknowledges the government’s commitment to expanding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme and the nationwide cervical cancer screening initiative. However, similar approaches must be adopted for breast, prostate, gastric, and lung cancer screenings to ensure comprehensive care under UHC.
While strides have been made in adult oncology, paediatric cancer care remains underdeveloped. The Commission strongly urges the MoH to formalize a national childhood cancer programme ahead of the opening of the Paediatric & Maternity Hospital in Ogle in early 2026 and the planned Cancer

Treatment Centre by 2028, as announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Establishing this programme is imperative to providing specialized care for children battling cancer.

Despite commendable progress, critical gaps persist. Incomplete Implementation of Cancer Policies – Existing prevention programmes are not fully executed, leading to low screening rates. For instance, cervical cancer screening remains below 50% of the target population, despite adequate testing capacity.

Late Diagnoses – Many cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, making treatment less effective and more costly.
Limited National Capacity – Like many developing countries, Guyana’s healthcare system struggles to manage the increasing cancer burden. Urgent steps must be taken to align capacity with demand by prioritizing cancer medicine procurement in 2025.

To ensure equitable and effective cancer care, the MOH must publish a comprehensive package of cancer services available in Guyana, along with planned enhancements for 2025.

Transparency in available services will empower patients and improve access to essential cancer care. Cancer remains a growing public health challenge, but with continued investment, strategic policies, and expanded screening efforts, Guyana can achieve significant progress in prevention and treatment. By working together—government, healthcare providers, communities, and families—we can reduce the cancer burden and improve health outcomes for all.