With the installation of mammogram machines at a number of Regional Hospitals in the country, Guyanese now have greater access to breast cancer screening. However, concern remains over late detection due to the lack of screening.

Addressing cancer patients, survivors, ambassadors, and healthcare workers at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month Initiative this morning, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said Guyana has made significant strides in the field of Oncology.

He said in addition to increased education and awareness on cancer and tumors, there has been significant improvement in the areas of diagnosis and treatment with mammography machines installed at four Regional Hospitals.   

“So, while for many years the Georgetown Hospital was the only place you can come and get a mammogram, we started to change that this year by introducing mammography at other hospitals in the country. So, now people on the Essequibo Coast can have access to mammogram because we put a mammogram machine at the Suddie Hospital. We will put one at Linden so people in Linden and the surrounding communities can have access mammograms there. We put one in New Amsterdam so that people in Berbice would be able to have access there as well,” Minister Anthony said.

The Health Minister said the decision to install the mammography machines at the Regional Hospitals was in recognition of the gap that existed, since there was only one mammography machine available at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

In 2026, the Government intends to install additional machines at hospitals across the country.

But even as the Health Ministry takes steps to increase screening, Minister Anthony expressed concern that not enough women are screened resulting in late detection.

“Early diagnosis can make a big difference. So, if we get people to come early and we are able to diagnose them early…that the outcomes are going to be greater, better and that’s what we want to encourage. So, while we have these mammography machines, we need to work with people in the community to raise awareness, so more people can come and get tested,” he said.

Looking ahead, he said the Government is in talks with a number of international partners to establish a modern Oncology Centre in Guyana to treat Cancer patients.  

“It would include chemotherapy, all the necessary things for the different kinds of cancer, to do the diagnosis, we will have all of the facilities to do the diagnosis, and then for the treatment we will have some of the best equipment for the treatment,” he said.

He said the Oncology Centre would change how cancer is detected and treated in Guyana, and would serve not only Guyanese, but citizens of the Caribbean as well.

 Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Robbie Rambarran, Cancer Ambassador Desiree Edghill, and Cancer Survivor Renetta Jeffrey praised the doctors and health workers in the Oncology Department for the exemplary service they continue to provide.

Jeffery, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2022, said while the support of family and friends is important, the treatment and care provided by the Oncology Department should not go unnoticed.

“I took eight chemo sessions. All the doctors, the nurses that I interfaced with, they were so, so supportive. They understood you. They were very patient. If one can’t get something done, they would call on the other…And I am grateful for their support because without them, apart from God, family, friends, without them giving you the right treatment, we would not have been here. I would not have been here,” Jeffrey said.

As a show of support to the patients and survivors, GPHC with the support of sponsors provided them with self-care packages in keeping with the theme of its awareness campaign: “Look Good, Feel Better.”

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