Few people realise it, but cervical cancer is the most deadly cancer in the Caribbean – and it affects women of all ages. That’s despite the fact that the disease is almost always preventable.
As a response, the Cayman Islands Cancer Society has launched a cervical cancer awareness month for September that will include district awareness evenings across Grand Cayman.
Christine Sanders, CICS general manager, hopes the events will help raise awareness about the disease that could, in turn, save lives.
‘It’s important for people to come along and get the information because cervical cancer is something that is essentially preventable in most cases,’ she said Wednesday. ‘If people have information, they have the power to protect themselves.’
During the awareness evenings, CICS representatives and doctors will outline the risk factors for cervical cancer, they will discuss what women can do to protect themselves from developing the disease and explain the signs and symptoms that women should pay attention to. Attendees will also learn about screening for cervical cancer, and the treatment options that are available for those diagnosed with the disease.
Ms Sanders called on men to also come along to the awareness evenings, saying they too had a crucial role to play, both in ensuring that their partners took care of their health, and in making sure women felt comfortable talking about issues like reproductive health.
Another important component of the awareness evenings will involve bringing attendees up to speed with the related condition, Human Paploma Virus, which is estimated to be linked to the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
HPV is a diverse group of DNA-based viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans and a variety of animals and is sexually transmitted.
As those at the awareness evenings will learn, a vaccine is now available on-island for the disease, but it is only effective if administered to young females before they have engaged in sexual activity. Though it remains expensive, it will be a crucial weapon in the fight against cervical cancer.
Doctors will be in attendance at the awareness evenings, answering questions and handing out vouchers for free pap smears, which are essential for the early detection of cervical cancer.
Ms Sanders paid tribute to Sagicor, a co-sponsor of the evenings, who will fund lab analysis of the free pap smears.
She also thanked Rotary Sunrise Grand Cayman for providing organisational and administrative support for the events, and for their pledge to champion the issue of cervical cancer awareness and prevention.
She said it was important that everyone is clear that cervical cancer affects women of all ages. ‘Don’t think because I am young, I am invincible. You’re not.’
FYI
Cervical cancer awareness evenings will take place:
- 11 September, 7pm, North Side United Church;
- 13 September, 5.30pm, Women’s Resource Center, Elizabethan Square;
- 20 September, 7pm, St. George’s Church Hall, George Town;
- 25 September, 7pm, Savannah Primary School;
- 26 September, 7pm, West Bay Primary School;
- TBA – Bodden Town United Church Hall
For more information call the Cayman Islands Cancer Society on 949-7618.
Related Videos
