Georgetown: Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran disclosed that the week of screening that was done for cervical cancer was excellent and the execution of such activities over the years has resulted in the removal of the stigma which previously existed regarding cancer.
During the Week of Screening which lasted from January 14-18, the VIA-Visual Inspection using Acetic Acid method was taken to several entities including Qualfon, Ashmins, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Bank of Guyana, Parliament Office and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The women were screened for cervical cancer with eight percent receiving a positive test and received treatment immediately and 0.01 percent represented suspected cases of cancer. The latter group was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further assessments. One hundred and fifty women also benefited from sensitisation sessions.
Minister Ramsaran indicated that several years Evette Irving carried out a study where she pointed out that cervical cancer might be more prevalent among the Amerindian population. “It was not a peer review study, but at least it stimulated interest and since then I have taken special interest in this and we have also taken a new approach where we recruit unorthodox role models to promote the fight against cervical cancer such as models and fashion designers,” he added.
The use of the VIA method has proven over time to be cost effective, timely and convenient in that the service can be taken to the people instead of the people going to the health facility.
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