PNG Cancer Foundation (PNGCF)

The Trupla Man Outreach Prevention & Education Program aims to encourage discussions about health and lifestyle choices among men, with the goal of raising awareness about men's cancer and cancer presentations.

During the cheque handover, BSP Corporate Sponsorship Manager, Amelia Minnopu expressed the bank's recognition of the significant health issues faced by many men in PNG.

Minnopu praised the work of the PNG Cancer Foundation in the communities, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early detection in saving lives.

PNGCF Health Educator, Tracy Kabewa said unfortunately, PNG is currently leading globally with mouth cancer, which is closely attributed to the habit of betelnut chewing, with and without mustard and lime.

At the soft launch held yesterday at the Airswift Office in Port Moresby, PNGCF Executive Manager, Priscilla Napoleon, made this announcement joined by PNGCF Deputy Chair, Dr Lynda Sirigoi, in the presence of Airswift Vice President, Charles Pfauwadel.

Since 2018, Airswift has proudly supported the annual Pinktober campaign and PNGCF fundraiser initiative, Pink Ribbon Lunch.

The program began in March with Hagara and Tatana primary schools and continued with Boera Primary School in the beginning of April.

The HTSP is a school-based cancer education and awareness program that focuses on empowering teenagers to make healthy lifestyle choices as a way to reduce their risk of getting cancer in the future. The program is conducted by PNGCF Health Educators and comprises of a workshop that educates on what cancer is and ways to reduce the risk of getting some types of cancer.

Funds presented were raised from a staff initiated morning tea fundraiser that was held on Friday 12^th October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month and raise awareness on cancer. 

Priscillar Napoleon, Executive Manager – Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation, thanked the staff for the initiative and the support of the Bank and its employees.

“As a charitable organisation, PNGCF’s work would not be possible without the backing of local companies and individuals,” said Napoleon.

The workshop was re-branded from the Biggest Morning Tea to “Let’s Talk Cancer”.

Program manager, Priscillar Napoleon, said this is to encourage people to mainly start up conversations among themselves or a group of people and talk about what cancer is about as part of awareness and educating each other.

“Basically the answering the what, where, how, which and why cancer is affecting lives every day in a normal and civil conversation,” she says.

The workshops will be held at the Royal Papua Yacht Club in Port Moresby and the general public is invited to attend.

The workshops are important as current statistics show that two women die every day in PNG because of cervical cancer.

The workshop aims to reduce the threat and impact of cancer through education and prevention programs.

The workshops will be conducted by PNGCF health educators, explaining what breast and cervical cancer are, how to recognise early signs and symptoms as well as how you can protect yourself from the disease.

Working in partnership with ExxonMobil PNG, the event’s main focus was on cancer awareness and prevention.

Free mouth and breast cancer screening was done hands on by PNGCF team with the help of some final year medical students from the University of Papua New Guinea, as part of their practical.

Participants were also surveyed to better understand their general knowledge of cancer, habits and behavioural trends within the province.

The program was facilitated by the PNG Cancer Foundation and was carried out for the first time this year from April to September.

PNGCF targeted a particular demographic to have a positive influence on the lifestyle choices they make for the future.

The health awareness program kicked off in Milne Bay Province and ended on a high note in the nation’s capital.

Selected schools visited were Cameron Secondary and Sacred Heart Secondary in MBP, Kimbe and Hoskins Secondary in West New Britain, Badihagwa Secondary and Kopkop College in Port Moresby.

The funds raised will be used to help cancer control and prevention in Papua New Guinea and assist with PNGCF’s provincial free cancer screening and awareness programs.

The Pink Ribbon Brunch is sponsored by National Finance Ltd and will be held at the Laguna Hotel.

National Finance sales manager John Dickinson said during the launch today that they’re proud to be the new sponsor of the annual event.

Dickinson said, “We invite all our supporters to join us to raise as much money as possible to raise awareness on women’s cancer.