Cancer

Research increasingly points to the likelihood that some of the most aggressive ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes. Most doctors now believe there is little to lose by removing the tubes of women who are done bearing children -- and potentially much to gain in terms of cancer prevention.

The stakes in this research are high. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of gynecologic cancers, killing 14,000 women a year in the United States. It is often diagnosed in the late stages, when it is more difficult to treat.

There may come a time when you, or someone close to you, will be told that the only option now is to go to the Philippines or Australia or Singapore. 

When faced with reality, only those who can afford are flying abroad for cancer diagnosis and treatments while even more remain in the country and lose the battle.

Project manager of PNG’s Walk the Talk against Cancer, Barbara Toiya, says the real need now is to bring in the cancer facilities.

This should be ultimate goal in PNG’s fight against cancer.

The 24-year-old is thought to be the first in the world to have a baby after having an ovary frozen before the onset of puberty.

Moaza Al Matrooshi, whose son was delivered at the privately-run Portland Hospital yesterday, told the BBC: "It's like a miracle.

"We've been waiting so long for this result - a healthy baby."

Her doctor, Sara Matthews, a consultant in gynaecology and fertility, said she was overjoyed for the family - and delighted by the hope it offered to others too.

Over the next few years, the X-ray technician from Albuquerque, New Mexico, developed a persistent cough and wheezing, which her doctors attributed to exercise-induced asthma. She had other symptoms, too: weight loss, fever, and several bouts of pneumonia.

Still, when Rivas finally decided to perform a chest X-ray on herself, cancer was the last thing on her mind.

The image revealed a mass on her right lung that turned out to be a malignant tumor. Rivas was 32 and had never smoked a cigarette in her life. "I want people to know lung cancer can happen to anyone," she says.

Researchers are learning more about the history of cancer and how civilizations have treated it.

A study in the journal Nature Reviews Cancer suggests that cancer has become a more common disease only recently, because of modern lifestyle.

This was one of the main topics discussed during the Men’s Cancer Awareness Workshop earlier this week.

Renowned Australian oncologist, Professor Ian Olver, said poor eating habits increase your risk of cancer in various parts of the body.

“Poor eating habits can also contribute to weight gain and being overweight or obese increase your risk of cancer.”

Prof Olver says improving diet can be as simple as trying to eat more fruit and vegetables, adding that processed food can increase ones chance of developing cancer.

Patients at the Princess Alexandra Hospital will start undergoing treatment within days now that the new computer program, Calypso, has gone online.

Patients at the Princess Alexandra Hospital will start undergoing treatment within days now that the new computer program, Calypso, has gone online.

Ostomates are always considering this when out in public.

They are in this situation due to bowel cancer or accidents forcing them to remove waste through an artificial opening called stoma.

But lack of supplies (colostomy bags) and less knowledge sees Ostomates in PNG using other things such as diapers and shopping bags or refusing to move around in public places to avoid embarrassment.

Greg Neville, Managing Director of Matrix Constructions PNG has been supporting the PNG Stoma Foundation to give them a better life.

Juffa in a statement to Loop PNG said cancer was killing off many of PNG’s capable female workforce.

He said those women dying were not just breadwinners but also careers and nation builders and it was becoming a serious concern yet the national Government and especially NDOH was very lax in its approach towards rectifying the matter.

"Cancer is spreading and stalking our womenfolk especially.

“PNG is losing many young women in their prime to cancer. Many of these cases are easily preventable if detected and treated early.”