Fiji Cancer Society Registers 385 More Patients
Fiji Cancer Society chief executive officer, Belinda Chan, said this was in addition to the 470 registered the previous year.
Friday 06 October 2023 | 10:44
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya (fourth from left) with participants at a Fiji Cancer Society event in Suva
The Fiji Cancer Society has this year registered 385 more cancer patients to their system, needing their assistance as they fight this deadly disease.
Fiji Cancer Society chief executive officer, Belinda Chan, said this was in addition to the 470 registered the previous year.
She said these numbers did not represent the only cancer cases diagnosed in Fiji, but those that find their way to the cancer society seeking its services.
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“More than half of those patients registered with us are breast, cervical or gynaecological cancer patients,” Ms Chan said.
“Our services for them range from support accessing medical reports, to assistance with the cost of medications and for many, post-surgery bra fitting and provision of mastectomy prosthesis,” she said.
“As I said earlier, Fiji Cancer Society receives no direct government funding. Everything we do, we do through the generosity of individuals and organisations like yours.
“We fund and conduct community awareness and prevention education programmes across Fiji. In addition to awareness sessions, the society provides free breast and cervical screening with a focus on reaching the unreachable. Last year, more than 80 free screenings were conducted across the country.
“Our patient support services help reduce the impact of a cancer by funding transport to treatment for those that wouldn’t attend without this support.”
She said last year, Fiji Cancer Society cars and drivers covered more than 66,000 kilometres getting patients to and from treatment.
“This is double the distance covered in 2019. This year to date, we had funded over 1500 taxis to treatment.
“The society provides a car, driver and resources for Ministry of Health palliative care teams to visit patients in their homes, and resources such as diapers, personal care kits and groceries among along list of services and resources for patients.
“This dedicated team has been able to conduct more than 900 home visits so far this year, thanks to our support.”
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