The Head of the Oncology Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr Latoya Gooding has reported that the hospital recorded 107 new cases of breast cancer during the first eight months of this year.

Dr. Gooding made the disclosure during a pinning ceremony held at the Hospital on Thursday to mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“In 2025, the Oncology Department recorded 147 cases or incidents of breast cancer. For 2026, from January to August, we have 107 cases,” Dr Gooding said.

According to Dr. Gooding, since 2015 there has been a decline in late-stage diagnosis of cancer, which she believes is as a result the increase in cancer awareness in the country.

Noting that the Oncology Department has seen significant improvements over the years, Dr Gooding explained that the number of staff working in the department has increased, while the department’s treatment guidelines have also improved to better serve cancer patients.

She anticipates that within the next two years, the Oncology Department will be on par with its counterparts in the region, and even internationally.

“Breast Cancer is now one of the cancers that we can manage. One of the cancers that we can say that we have aligned regionally and almost, and I say almost because there are just two more things that we need to fit in there for me to say that we have reached international standards but guess what, we are getting there. We are a department that is growing, we are a department is improving,” Dr Gooding said.

She said the Oncology Department remains committed to providing standardized first-line care to all its patients.

Meanwhile, Cancer Ambassador with the Giving Hope Foundation, Desiree Edghill, said at present, the foundation has a total of 98 cancer survivors. Ms. Edghill lauded the pinning ceremony, telling those present that the pin is a symbol of awareness, and a reminder of those who are fighting, those who have survived, and those who have lost the battle.

“A pin maybe small but what it represents is powerful. It represents awareness, courage, hope, support and the promise that no one has to walk this journey alone. As a survivor, I know that cancer can change your life in many ways, in ways you never expected but I also know that with faith, early detection, medical care, love, and a strong support system, there can be life beyond diagnosis,” Edghill said.

Edghill was among survivors present.

Acting Chief Executive Officer at the GPHC, Dr Navindranauth Rambaran, thanked the cancer patients and survivors present for their courage.

Underscoring the importance of awareness and early detection, Dr Rambaran said he is pleased to learn of the decline in late-stage diagnosis. He said early detection can save lives as he lobbied for more persons to get screened.

Breast Cancer was once the leading cancer in Guyana. However, it has now been surpassed by Prostate Cancer.

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