The National Government has once again been challenged to invest in cancer treatment facilities as the disease continues to affect, if not take away, lives every day in the country.
This was gynaecologist specialist, Dr Mathias Sapuri’s call as PNG prepares to join the world this Sunday to help raise awareness on women’s cancers and put an end to the rising statistics of cancer-related deaths.
Speaking on Wednesday, Dr Sapuri could not emphasise the seriousness of the matter anymore because the statistics of women being diagnosed with cancer in PNG numbers into the thousands every year and is rising.
Dr Sapuri said while the Globe-athon is another campaign to drive the message of leading healthy lifestyles, getting regular checks and having pap smears done, there is much to do in the public health system and its response to the availability of cancer treatment.
Most cancer cases reported are already in the third or fourth stage where surgery is not an option but radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment – to which PNG is lacking in. But the doctor said prevention is always better than cure and has encouraged every girl child and woman to have regular breast examinations, or pap smears for cervical cancer, and to look out for signs and symptoms.
His message to the masses was to openly discuss cancer as it affects everyone.
Dr Sapuri was hopeful that the message from this year’s Globe-athon campaign would get the attention of politicians to push the agenda in the immediate future.