Rise in cervical, breast and prostate cancer cases recorded

As efforts continue every year to raise awareness about cancer and early detection, the Health Ministry has revealed that the country has seen an increase in at least three types of cancer.
This statistical information was revealed by the Director for Non-communicable Diseases for the Health Ministry, Dr. Lachmie Lall, at the launch of Pinktober 2024, hosted by One Communications at the Pegasus Corporate Centre Conference Room on Friday.
“The statistics from the Health Ministry show that in 2021 and 2022, breast cancer incidents marked higher than all other cancers. In 2020, there were 123 cases; in 2021, there were 144; and in 2022, there were 186. So, you can see how the numbers are slowly increasing.”

Additionally, she said this increase is not limited to breast cancer but also cervical and prostate cancer.
“Right behind breast cancer is prostate cancer, which had 96 cases in 2020, 104 in 2021, and 129 in 2022. So, you can see that if you look at the cancer registries, you are going to see a sharp increase in the three prevalent types of cancers, which are breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.”
Due to this factor, various measures have been taken by the government, including the provision of mammograms.
“We have been committed to ensuring that each person has access to necessary screening, diagnosis, and treatment options. Over the past year, we have made significant enhancements in public health infrastructure, equipping more regional hospitals with mammography services by the end of this year and ensuring that critical cancer medications are available in our public health care systems. But we must continue to build on these efforts; the ministry could not do this on our own.”
Dispelling the common misconception women have – thinking that when they feel lumps in parts of their bodies that its gas, she urged them to dispel this mindset and seek swift testing.

Early detection
“With early detection, proper care, and support, we can overcome this. Our partnership with the ministry and One Communications is an important one. We must continue to build on these efforts. Through One Communications’ branding, we have been able to change the mindset. Early detection remains the most powerful tool in combating cancer; this is why we are continuing with a robust campaign.”
Meanwhile, Ian Lewis, Director of Brand and Voice for One Communications, emphasised the importance of corporate partnership in the fight against cancer.
“This year, under the theme ‘Many Hearts, One Fight,’ our commitment remains stronger than ever, we will continue our efforts for all of Guyana to donate funds to support the treatment and care for those affected and to support the ongoing effort to raise awareness.”
Pinktober is not just a movement; it is a cry. Pinktober has been one of the telecommunication company’s most impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives since its inception in 2017.
The Health Ministry, in a bid to expand capacity for early detection of breast cancer, has this year procured four new mammogram machines in July. The state-of-the-art equipment was purchased through a partnership between the Guyana Government and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
These machines were carded to be four hospitals: the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the New Amsterdam Hospital in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the Lethem Hospital in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and the Linden Hospital Complex in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
As of 2023, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) had the only public mammogram machine in the country, which recorded about 1300 mammograms in 2022. (G2)