Report was delivered by Mrs Jeannine Connor Gittens at the Dominion Faith Centre on Sunday November 10, 2013.
Because part of our vision here at Dominion Faith Centre is to partner with the community to advance the Kingdom of God, we network with the Primary Health Care Program on Anguilla. My presentation today focuses on Cancer Awareness. While some of the facts are startling, we know that God has not given us a spirit of fear so use this information as knowledge.
In June of this year, I attended a Cancer Awareness meeting, where Dr. Lowell Hughes of Hughes Medical Centre was the main presenter. There were several key points discussed as follows:
– There is a new initiative to encourage men to get their PSA screenings earlier than the documented age. Now, doctors are asking that men age 45 and older get regular PSA screenings to be in a better position to identify prostate issues earlier and therefore, save more lives.
– According to data collected on Anguilla, women are still not getting regular mammograms and/or pap smear tests. These two tests are vital to women’s health and can alert doctors to any irregularities which could rapidly lead to cancer, if left untreated.
– According to Dr. Hughes, cancer cases on Anguilla seem to be increasing. This is quite alarming to medical practitioners and the community at large. Dr. Hughes further shared that during his attendance at regional medical conferences with other Caribbean doctors, it was ascertained that certain islands such as Guadeloupe and Martinique had higher numbers of neck and head cancers. Anguilla, however, has been affected bycancers of every kind. Dr. Hughessurmised that almost every type of cancer known to the medical world has been recorded on Anguilla.
– The causes of the rise in cancer cases on Anguilla are still a mystery. However, there have been several theories discussed.One prevalent theory is that due to the large number of telecommunications towers on such a small island, the electromagnetic radiation is affecting humans, animals and, quite possibly, even plant life.
– One of the initiatives which medical professionals on Anguilla are hoping to put in place is a National Cancer Registry. Even though this initiative is supported by medical professionals and can be funded through various international organizations, there is yet to be outright support of this collaborative effort.This National Cancer Registry would help to focus on what the prevalent types of cancers on Anguilla are and ultimately lead to concrete research on how to stem the rise and/or occurrence of such. There still appears to be somereluctance among the community to initiate the National Cancer Registrydue to privacy violation issues, which are often rampant in Anguilla. Although cancer is a non-communicable disease, there is still often times a feeling of shame and secrecy. It has been reported that somepersons affected by cancer do not even want their family members to know they have been diagnosed.
– The culmination of the Cancer Awareness stride was a Cancer Walk held on October 25, 2013. The walk, which began at 4:30 p.m., started at the Ruthwill, went through Sachasses, North Hill and ended in The Valley. There were live broadcasts on three radio stations during the event where participants were interviewed as they walked. One of the goals of the Cancer Awareness society was the 100 MAMMOGRAM DRIVE. A mammogram is approximately $100 USD. With support from many sponsors, the group met their goal by helping 100 women get much needed mammograms.
Let us all be vigilant when it comes to our health. We are aware of some of the factors that contribute to cancer: poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive intake of alcohol, etc. We pray that this information will have enlightened you and that you will be encouraged to support the Primary Health Care Program throughout the year. Thank you.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian Newspaper.)
