Executive Director of Cancer Support Services (CSS) and Co-ordinator of the 5th annual CSS conference, Jan Lynton conversing with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dr. Dexter James.
Cancer the third leading cause of death
Sun, 07/03/2016 - 12:00am
In Barbados, cancers are the third leading cause of death only surpassed by cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.
In fact, the main cancers of public health concern, according to Chief Public Health Nurse, Anne Marshall are prostate, breast, cervix and colon.
Addressing the 5th annual conference of the Cancer Support Services (CSS) under the theme “Surviving Cancer” at Accra Beach Hotel and Spa yesterday, she told participants that of great concern is the premature death attributable to cancers, and the potential years of live lost from cancer occurring in persons less than 65 years of age.
However, she indicated that the World Health Organisation gives reason to be optimistic by projecting that up to 40 per cent of cancers are preventable using simple life style interventions.
“These lifestyle interventions include abstinence from tobacco, reduction in harmful use of alcohol and the adoption of a healthy diet and exercise. Therefore, our efforts must not only target persons with disease, but our efforts must be strengthened towards prevention of persons at risk from developing disease.”
Marshall said that the Ministry of Health has championed several public health initiatives which create an enabling environment that allows persons to live healthy and long lives. She highlighted that these initiatives include the publishing of age specific guidelines for physical activity and exercise; the adoption of school based guidelines for good and wholesome nutrition in schools; and the adoption of some articles in compliance with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control specifically banning smoking in public places and the sale of cigarettes to minors.
“However, our work in prevention is far from being completed. The Ministry of Health will continue to pursue policies and programmes to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, and to provide a supportive environment leading to enhanced dietary habits for persons in Barbados.”
The Chief Public Health Nurse further acknowledged that any prevention programme will not be completed if it were not for the fine efforts contributed by civil society. According to her, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) community has worked tirelessly in the areas of cancer prevention and control.
She described CSS as a haven for persons to obtain advocacy, compassion, education, and most importantly confidentiality. “Along with the many advances in treatment, we must not ignore the value of support, whether physical or emotional for survivors. Support Services can contribute significantly to the quality of life and strengthen the family unit, chronic illness is not the individual’s disease alone, but can impact on families, communities and even the entire country…Cancer Support Services must be commended for its tremendous efforts to ensure that the clients access all aspects of care,” she said. (TL)