FIJIANS are being urged to turn Pinktober awareness into everyday action by prioritising early detection and seeking medical advice sooner, as cancer patients continue to present late for treatment.
Fiji Cancer Society board member Inoke Bainimarama said late presentation remained the biggest challenge, with the society recording 1314 cancer cases, including 558 breast cancer cases, and 30 deaths in the past three years.
He said many patients were seeking help when little could be done.
“The patients that present to us, they present very late, and we find that by the time they come to us there’s very little we can do and, in some cases, we just have to then move into palliative care,” he said.
Mr Bainimarama said stigma continued to drive some clients to abandon treatment after diagnosis.
“They feel that cancer is a death sentence and they will be a burden to their families, and those are things that need to be dispelled.”
He acknowledged the work of the secretariat headed by CEO Belinda Chan, clinicians, staff, survivors, volunteers and board members, as well as the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, corporate sponsors and the wider community.
Mr Bainimarama said funds raised during Pinktober went directly to clients.
“When we get donations, it goes directly to our clients – providing transport for them to go to the hospital, providing medicines that are not available through the Ministry of Health pharmacy division.”
He encouraged all Fijians to support Pinktober and take part in awareness activities in their communities.
“Let us ensure that awareness must have a next step – early detection, access, and seeking medical advice early – and may Pinktober serve as a reminder that access matters as much as awareness.”
Fiji Cancer Society board member Inoke Bainimarama after an interview at his office in Suva on Thursday.
Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
