LATE presentation of cancer remains one of the biggest challenges facing the Fiji Cancer Society, alongside the stigma surrounding the disease.
Fiji Cancer Society executive board member Inoke Bainimarama said many patients presented for treatment at the third or fourth stages of cancer, when there were limited options to help them.
He said some people viewed cancer as a death sentence, which contributed to patients being afraid to seek medical attention.
“One of the things we found is that a lot of our patients present very late,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“There’s a stigma around cancer, in some cases people think it’s a death sentence.”
Mr Bainimarama said the society encouraged people to seek medical attention early, particularly when they noticed changes in their bodies.
He said the society also ran programs in schools and worked with organisations to conduct awareness activities and screening through clinical teams.
Mr Bainimarama said some people who were diagnosed with cancer were afraid to attend hospital, while others attended but later stopped coming and had to be followed up.
He said the society continued to work to address the stigma surrounding cancer and encourage people to seek support.
“Because the stigma, people don’t, they’re afraid to turn up to the hospital, and get checked, or we have some who actually turn up, and then they disappear, and then we have to follow up.”
Mr Bainimarama said early detection could improve outcomes, and the society had seen cases of people who had overcome cancer and gone into remission.
He said the availability of specialised cancer treatment was another positive development.
The society continues to encourage people to get checked early.
