ONE Communications today officially launched its Pinktober campaign to raise awareness of cancer, under the theme “Act Now, Live Strong.”

One Communications Marketing Director, Ian Marcus, said the theme is fitting as the world continues to wage war against cancer.

“When someone shares a reminder to get screened; when a survivor tells their story; when a neighbour urges a friend to check a lump – that is connection at its most powerful. We know those small actions can save lives, and they already have. Act now means booking that screening, making that call, or having that difficult conversation today, not someday. It means reminding a loved one that their life matters too much to delay. It means for us as a business, turning every channel of communication into a call to action, so that more people hear, more people act, and more lives are saved,” Marcus said.

Still alluding to the theme, Mr. Marcus said “live strong” speaks to the heart of every survivor.

“It is the courage of the woman who stood up to breast cancer and now faces cervical cancer with unshaken faith. It is the quiet strength of families who walk beside their loved ones through treatment and recovery,” he said.

In 2024, more than 14,000 persons joined One Communications for its annual flagship walk to bring attention to the disease. Marcus hopes to see an even larger number of persons participating in this year’s event, which will take place on the 26th October.

Coordinator of the Chronic Disease Unit at the Ministry of Health, Dr Danielle Drepaul, in her address, said Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than wearing pink, as she underscored the importance of regular screening and protecting one’s health daily.

Noting that early detection saves lives, Dr. Drepaul said the Ministry of Health has introduced screening at Regional hospitals.

“We have introduced four mammograms in four different Regions – Regions 2, 6, 9 and 10. And so, I am urging everyone to access our services. We noticed that the uptake is very low right now,” Dr Drepaul explained.

Meanwhile, the President of Guyana Cancer Society, Sharir Chan explained that there were 143 persons diagnosed with cancer in 2022, and while the incident rate may appear low, breast cancer continues to claim lives in Guyana.

However, he said with investments in the country’s healthcare sector, there could be a decline in the number of deaths.

“We are building new hospitals with sophisticated machinery – mammogram machines, CT scans and so, we expect to see the incident rate go up. And so, we have to understand that it is going up because we are finding people with cancer not because cancer is necessarily increasing, it probably is. And, as these rates go up you will see that the mortality rate will go down, and we will be in a better position to counter cancer,” Chan said.

He said more Non-Governmental Organisations like the Guyana Cancer Society must join the fight, emphasizing that the Government cannot do it alone. He said NGOs must work with the Ministry of Health to increase screening, and promote awareness and treatment.

Cancer survivor, Rosalyn Clarke told the launch ceremony that after battling breast cancer, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She said the journey, which began in 2016, has not been easy, but she continues to push on.

“I didn’t do chemotherapy, I opted for the tablet Letrozole. I drank it for seven years, did my yearly checkups, not yearly, every three months I went to clinic. Then it go to six months, then it go to eight months, and it go to a year, and they said you are cancer free, and I said thank you Jesus,” Clarke said.

Ms. Clarke reminded that early detection remains key in saving lives. She said in her own family, a number of family members have also battled cancer. She has urged support for the Pinktober activities. (Svetlana Marshall)

Related posts:

Cancer Institute offering free mammograms in October to raise Breast Cancer Awareness One Communications company teams up with Health Ministry and NGOs for Pinktober 2024 Women being encouraged to get screened for Breast Cancer as part of Pinktober observances GTT continues push to raise more breast cancer awareness with “Pinktober” 2018