Cancer treatment in Guyana has taken on a more radical form within recent times according to Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who disclosed on Friday last that for breast cancer it has shifted to mostly surgeries.
Breast cancer is the most widespread form of cancer which affects Guyanese, and the minister noted that both men and women are fighting breast cancer here.
He said that much more radical treatment is being done for breast cancer “which includes surgery for the removal of the breast”.
Currently some 500 women are registered as being diagnosed with breast cancer and a few men are also on the books. Ramsammy said breast cancer is a very aggressive cancer and unless diagnosed early it becomes fatal, adding that early diagnosis allows for interventions. “It is time for all Guyana to make one more effort to get people aware about breast cancer,” Ramsammy said in reference to the awareness activities on this month.
He continued that cancer is a huge public health problem and pointed to medication and treatment for cancers as being extremely expensive. He said that purchase of medication for cancers is adding a huge expense to the public sector acquisition of drugs.
Further, he said that some cancer patients are facing an uphill battle because they require chemotherapy, medication and radiotherapy to beat cancer.
