Cancer Society promotes awareness and prevention

By Adel Fruean 17 October 2019, 2:00PM

From January until August 2019, the Samoa Cancer Society has recorded 76 cases of cancer in Samoa, 13 of them children.

The statistic was confirmed  by Verona Parker, of the Samoa Cancer Society, during an interview with the Samoa Observer.

Breast cancer leads in terms of numbers with 16 patients.

Breast is the focus of the Pinktober campaign – which aims to raise awareness on breast cancer.

Mrs. Parker said that part of their Pinktober programme includes a luncheon which is scheduled to be held at the Sheraton Hotel on Friday.

“The luncheon is where we engage the support of the business community and also the Government sector to help with our awareness programmes. We are continuing the outreaches that we have with work places in spreading cancer awareness," she said.

"This week we established a partnership with the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development to go out to the Falealili district and also Aleipata in getting the awareness and educating our young people especially the women on cancer.

“We are inviting members of the public to congregate in front of the fire station in town at 8:00am and march towards the Government building wearing pink.”

She added that the participants will stand in front of the Government building in the shape of a ribbon. A special breakfast for cancer survivors is also planned for the end of the month at the Return to Paradise Resort. 

The society's C.E.O., Shelley Burich, is currently attending the 2019 World Cancer Leaders' Summit in Kazakhstan from October 15-17.

The conference in Kazakhstan will have approximately 350 global influencers and leaders in cancer control and public health from across governments, United Nations agencies, academia, non-profit organisations and private sectors will consider the ways in which cancer detection, treatment and care contribute to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (U.H.C.).

 The issues to be examined during the summit will include perspectives on the relationship between strong, sustainable and ‘people centred’ health systems and the effective prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases, promoting health equity in access to cancer services, and priority setting as part of the progressive realization of U.H.C.

By Adel Fruean 17 October 2019, 2:00PM
Samoa Observer

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