Though the chances of survival has increased with early detection, the Oncology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital has diagnosed some 264 breast cancer cases over the past year.
“For the years, 2023 to 2024, over 264 persons were diagnosed with breast cancer, including both males and female,” Dr Whitney Munroe, Medical Registrar of the Oncology Clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital revealed on Wednesday.
Dr Munroe was at the time addressing a ‘Look Better, Feel Better’ campaign which was held as part Breast Cancer Awareness month activities aimed at sensitising persons on treatment and prevention options for breast cancer.
According to statistics, more than 360,000 persons will be diagnosed with breast cancer globally this year.
Breast cancer patients were honoured at Wednesday’s a ‘Look Better, Feel Better’ campaign (Photo: News Room/ October 23, 2024)
So, Dr Munroe stressed the importance of early screening and detection.
“There is hope, advancement in early detection methods and support continue to increase and chances of survival continue to increase.
“When caught in its early stages, the five-year relative survival rate of breast cancer is 99 per cent,” she said.
The Oncology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital began offering services to the public in 2017. From them, Dr Munroe said the human resources has increased significantly to better serve those in need of the necessary care.
Dr Whitney Munroe, Medical Registrar of the Oncology Clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital (Photo: News Room/ October 23, 2024)
According to Dr Munroe, treatment for breast cancer requires a multi-disciplinary approach.
Once diagnosed, she said treatment is provided through the radiology surgical, pathology and the oncology departments of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
To make the process easier, Chief Executive Office of the Georgetown Public Hospital, Robbie Rambarran said a five-start plan is in the pipeline foe oncology care while the cost for CT scan, which is required during diagnosis has been lifted.
Additionally, Rambarran said drugs for cancer treatment, amounting to $150 million will be catered for in the 2025 budget and the waiting time for results has been reduced from three months to seven days.
“We are making the improvement so that people like yourself can get better care.
“There were times when cancer was seen as a death sentence but now there is hope,” Rambarran said.
While the efforts are being made to optimize the care, breast cancer patient, persons are being encouraged to get screened early as prevention is better than cure.
This sentiment was echoed by breast cancer survivor, Chandrawattie Singh, who is a nurse attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Singh was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She commenced treatment in 2008 and now she is cancer free.
She started chemotherapy in 2008.
Breast cancer survivor, Chandrawattie Singh (Photo: News Room. October 23, 2024)
“Not expecting this but it happens. I was treated right at Georgetown hospital. I had my radiotherapy done right at Cancer institute and I think I am fine now.
“Things are getting better and better because long ago we never use to get all the drugs but now we are having so much that we can treat a lot of patients.
“So please get tested and come out and get your treatment and encourage others to do the same and don’t be ashamed of what it is because its sickness and it must happen to someone of us,” Nurse Singh urged.
The post Over 260 Guyanese men, women diagnosed with breast cancer during past year appeared first on News Room Guyana.
