CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - The toll of cancer in the Federation is causing a heavy burden on the public health facilities and Junior Minister of Health in the Nevis Island Administration, Hazel Brandy-Williams underscored the need for people to become serious with their health.
The Minister was at the time delivering her address in recognition of World Cancer Day yesterday (Feb. 4), in which it was noted that over the last years the have been 144 new cases of the Non_Communicable Disease in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Brandy-Williams reminded that the growing number of cancer patients “is a major cause for concern, as we must bear in mind that besides human suffering and death, the financial cost incurred for the treatment of cancer can be astronomical for families, the health care system and the economy”.
Outlining the cost for care for people with the disease, Brandy-Williams explained that the direct costs include expenditures for treatment as well as the cost of care and rehabilitation, adding that indirect costs include the loss of economic output due to absenteeism from work due to illness and premature death.
She notes that it is for that reason her Ministries - the Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs - remain committed to programmes that focus on prevention care and treatment of cancer.
“In fact, cancer has taken much prominence on our Non-Communicable Disease portfolio. However, I am happy to report that there is hope, as studies would have shown that primary prevention offers the greatest public health potential and the most cost-effective long-term cancer control,” the Minister added.
In order to drive home the need for a healthy diet and care, there is a partnership between the Pink Lily Foundation and the Health Promotion Unit, that will assist the Ministry in continuing to promote awareness and educating the general public about the risk factors related to cancer.
To this end, the Ministry of Health, she noted, is fully committed to providing screening opportunities for breast examination and pap smear screening, which could be accessed at all community health centres, free of charge.
That initiative has so far received positive feedback as the recent Community Health Nursing Services Annual Pap smear drive, done in recognition of cervical cancer month, saw 146 women screened in 2021, in comparison to 113 of them screened in 2020.
Brandy-Williams also reminded of the implemented HPV vaccine to primary school children, which would help protect them against HPV infection and the six types of cancer it could cause.
Men are not left out, as the Minister highlighted that screening is also available for cancers such as prostate and colon.
“Although there are no sure ways to prevent cancer, there are measures that can be taken to help reduce one’s risk. As individuals, we can help to reduce our risk of cancer by making healthy choices,” the Minister noted in her address.
Meanwhile, she called for regular screening, which she opined increases the chances of early detection of cancers such as breast, colon, cervix and skin cancer.
If cancer is found early, it could be easier to treat and the survival rate increases, she pointed out.
Concerns continue to be raised by health officials over the diet of people in St. Kitts and Nevis as there is a growing threat posed by NCDs in the local sector, as the Government makes preparation to roll out the National Health Insurance Scheme which is expected to cover the population.
With that in mind and the growing problem, many who are healthy raised the alarm bells that they would have to supplement the bill for those who are eating unhealthy foods and drinks, as well as for for those who consume alcoholic beverages on a daily basis.
