Javascript Menu by Deluxe-Menu.com

SKNBuzz Radio - Strictly Local Music Toon Center
My Account | Contact Us  

Our Partner For Official online store of the Phoenix Suns Jerseys

 Home  >  Headlines  >  NEWS
Posted: Monday 17 October, 2016 at 2:56 PM

NGO sees increase in breast cancer patient seeking financial assistance

CEO Pamela Armstrong (L) collects a cheque from a private sector partner (File Photo)
By: Jermine Abel, SKNVibes.com

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Essence of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation has seen a slight increase in the number of persons seeking monetary assistance for cancer treatment.

     

    According to Chief Executive Officer of the Non-Profit Organization, Pamela Armstrong, it is disheartening to see more persons coming down with the ailment – an indication that they are not adhering to the call for very early screening.

    “Well, I have seen an increase. If you ask me if it’s an increase by much, I would say one is too much, but there is an increase and they are coming for the assistance,” noted Armstrong.

    Since the last month of activities in 2015, the CEO stated that “people are not really serious” about health promotions and screen programmes that are often aired on the television and radio stations.

    Most people, she noted, would wait until it is too late before they are screened and/or seek treatment for the ailment, whether it be breast or any other form of cancer.

    Breast cancer has been one of the most serious forms of cancer affecting women in St. Kitts and Nevis.

    At the launch of a non-governmental foundation’s Brest Cancer Month partnership with a local commercial Bank back in May, Minister of Health Hon. Eugene Hamilton indicated that the number of cancer diagnosis is trending downward.

    He said that on average, the Federation sees approximately 47 new cases per year, and included in that number are cervical, breast, prostate and gastrointestinal tract. But excluded from the statistics was that of skin cancer.

    “In the period 2010-2014, the Federation recorded 371 new cases of cancer - that is outside of skin cancer - at an average of 74 per year.  This, of course, corresponds to about 15 persons for every 10,000 in the population,” Hamilton disclosed.

    The two Ministers with responsibility for the health sector have pleaded for the citizens and residents to change their diets and lifestyle to prevent any possible increase in the number of persons being diagnosed with cancer, especially with the soon to be implemented National Health Insurance Scheme.

    “The cost of cancer treatment can bankrupt a person. It can bankrupt a family and of course cause devastation to a country’s health budget,” Minister Hamilton said.

    Armstrong said that “until it hits home, then is when they are seeing the seriousness of it and by that time it is too late. I don’t want to say it is too late, but the fact is the fact...early prevention is better in saving lives and it is better to know”.

    She is also calling on men to get screened for breast cancer, while adding that far too many men have pride and pretend to be too “macho” until they are struck by it. 

    October is universally recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a number of organizations have planned activities to raise funds for cancer treatment and also to promote awareness.
     
Copyright © 2024 SKNVibes, Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy   Terms of Service