The Minister for Health and Medical Services, Jone Usamate, calls on Fijians to “take ownership of our health and get screened for cancer and other general health issues.”

He said this yesterday during World Cancer Day celebration at the Colonial Memorial War Hospital (CWMH) in Suva.

“The good news is, many cancers can be treated,” he said.

He said cancer had been the third most common cause of death in Fiji.

From 2010 to 2013, he said, about 4742 cancer cases were recorded in Fiji. Last year there were 248 cases of breast cancer and 236 cases of cervical cancer.

Mr Usamate said many cases of cancer were not reported.

“If we take ownership of our health and get screened for cancer and other general health issues, we will be in a better position to know and understand our health status,” he said.

The theme for this year’s World Cancer Day celebration is ‘We Can. I Can. Prevent Cancer.’

“Statistics reveal that women are most likely to be affected by breast, cervix, uterus, ovary and rectum cancer, while in men, cancers such as prostate, liver, rectum and lungs are common.”

Mr Usamate said cancer had become a global epidemic affecting people of all ages, and unfortunately cases in Fiji had been steadily increasing.

Mr Usamate said early detection was the best prevention and cancer could be treatable if detected early. That can only be achieved through screening.

“We are at the forefront of receiving patients, so it is important that we are well versed with cancer, including screening processes and treatment.

“This way we can assist any person who walks into our facilities and make them feel comfortable, accepted and able to cope with cancer.

“Cancer might be scary, but as long as we are all aware of this, and we keep talking about cancer, there is no cause to worry and certainly no reason to be ashamed.

“We have people who have not died from cancer and they have been successfully treated. Cancer sometimes happens to people without reason, but if we can detect cancer then we can treat cancer. I can make a difference in being proactive and concerned for those around me; to prevent cancer.

“I urge everyone to learn about cancer, talk about it and get screened for early detection because: We Can. I can. Prevent Cancer,” he said.

Prostate cancer is most common among men if they are 40 years and over while; cervical cancer and breast cancer are most common among women if they are between 30 to 50 years.

Edited by Maikeli Seru.

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