Endometrial cancer is becoming common among young Fijian women, according to gynaecologist Dr Sunil Pillay.
While he did not provide statistics, Dr Pillay said that for years, the cancer affecting the lining of the uterus was largely seen as a disease of older women.
“Obesity and lifestyle changes are fuelling a disturbing trend: more and more young women are being diagnosed, and many are too late,” he said.
Dr Pillay said many of these young women hoped to have children.
“Without proper tools for early diagnosis, many are slipping through the cracks,” he said.
With the Labasa Hospital providing dedicated hysteroscopy services, he said the advanced medical technology enabled the accurate diagnosis and treatment of uterine conditions.
“With this equipment, we can identify cancer earlier. We can also treat conditions like polyps and fibroids in ways that preserve the uterus and the woman’s sense of self.”
Previously, he said many conditions required open surgery, lengthy hospital stays, and prolonged recovery.
“A simple polyp might mean four to five days in hospital. Now, it’s a day procedure.”
He said while such procedures have been routine in developed nations for years, Fijian women had waited too long.
“Women here deserve the same standard of care.
“They hold families and communities together. If a mother is in the hospital or bedridden for weeks, the whole household suffers.”
Beyond cancer, he said new machines donated by him and his team would also be used to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids, and other conditions affecting thousands of women.
