WITH the ultimate goal of bringing awareness to breast cancer, the Guyana Cancer Foundation on Friday hosted its annual Tree Wrapping Ceremony in observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025.

Joining in the ceremony, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller said cancer is more than requiring treatment, and more than just medicine. She said it is about family, community, a support structure, and the psychological, friendship, and the kindness that survivors provide to each other.

“The month of October, we particularly think about breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in the UK, and I believe here also in Guyana. About one in five of all cancers is breast cancer,” the High Commissioner said, while also reiterating that early detection saves lives.

Acknowledging that we should conduct self-examinations, she stated that we should be getting mammograms done as well.

“There is great treatment available these days. I’m also a huge supporter for research. We should be understanding new treatments and new ways in which we can have early detection, but also treatment,” High Commissioner Miller highlighted.

Offering words of inspiration, Miss Cosmo Guyana 2025, Kayla King underscored that awareness is incredibly important and shared her belief that it should not stand alone because awareness has an even greater impact when coupled with compassion and a collective responsibility. She implored on attendees to extend their advocacy beyond the month of October.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs pledged his and the government’s support to survivors.

He told the gathering that while it is a tree wrapping, the afternoon’s proceedings were about more than decoration, it was about sending a powerful message of unity, hope and remembrance.

Minister Jacobs said, “Cancer is not just a medical condition. This is a global challenge that touches every single home. That touches every single community.”

He highlighted that government has been injecting massively in building out a functioning healthcare system. The minister mentioned government’s pledge to delivering an Oncology Centre, stating that the Government has them in mind.

“I want you to know that we stand with you in solidarity. What is important when we come out of these occasions (is) that we recommit ourselves to showing compassion,” he said adding, “To recommit ourselves to compassion to our cancer survivors; and also remember the persons that went by.”

Minister Jacobs further reminded that early detection is important and so is bringing awareness in October and every other day of the year.