The Dominica Cancer Association (DCA) organized its annual cancer awareness campaign for October 4, and it held with the theme “Drive for Cancer Care”. Instead of the usual Walk for Cancer Care in which cancer survivors and campaigners walk through the city, this year’s event took the form of driving vehicles from Roseau to Portsmouth to bring public awareness to the disease.
DCA President, Yvonne Alexander, expressed joy at the success of the event, adding that people braved the weather to drive long distances to bring awareness to cancer. In her speech, she noted that early detection is key to preventing and treating cancer, and urged people to go for early screening.
Health Minister Dr. Irvine McIntyre took the opportunity to highlight the efforts of the Skerrit-led administration to fight cancer in Dominica. He said the government has opened cancer screening centres in various health districts and that people should take advantage of these to check themselves.
“The Ministry of Health has put certain strategies and policies in place that we should all take advantage of,” McIntyre said. “For instance, at all our health districts there is cancer screening going on, so as regards to your mammogram, regards to your pap smear, regards to your prostate tests, your PSA’s, these are all available and we should make use of them.”
The Minister of Health equally stated that the government has raised the taxation on alcohol, sugary drinks, tobacco products, and other harmful products to discourage dependence on them with a view to preventing cancers in the society. He credited the DCA for helping cancer patients to access quality treatment and embarking on awareness campaigns. According to him, 40% of cancers are preventable while 30% can be cured with early detection.
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