EDUCATING THE public about the dangers of cervical cancer will be the main thrust of cancer month activities to be observed during April, Cancer Awareness Momth.
The month-long programme was officially launched at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston Wednesday. Cervical cancer was chosen for focus because of its frequency and high death rate among Jamaican women.
"We are focusing on cervical cancer because it is preventable," Dr. Anthony Mullings, director of the society told The Gleaner.
According to statistics from the West Indian Medical Journal in December 2003, cervical cancer accounted for 63 per cent of all gynaecological cancers and 15 per cent of all female cancer deaths.
Earl Jarrett, Chairman of the Jamaica Cancer Society noted that this year's focus would go beyond the society's cancer month activities. He said the society will be teaming up with the Ministry of Health for the first time, for a year-long campaign about cervical cancer.
APPEAL
"This year, the society is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to appeal to thousands of women who have never had a pap smear to do so now," Mr. Jarrett said.
In a written message from John Junor, Minister of Health, Mr. Jarrett noted that in Jamaica women between 25 and 54 years were at the greatest risk for cervical cancer.
"Currently 25 per cent approximately 125,000 women within this age group have never had a pap smear," his message said.
He encouraged all women who have not done an annual test or have not been tested in the past three years to do an examination now.
A pap smear can detect pre-cancerous changes in a safe, painless way. Any abnormality detected from this test can be effectively treated. The society will be staging a number of events throughout the month including a Golf Tournament Scramble Against Cancer, Internet Chat where the topic is Sex and Cancer and a relay for life among others.
