Statistics have shown that cervical, prostate and breast cancers are among the top 10 causes of death in Dominica.
District Medical Officer of the Grand Bay Health District Dr. Cleona Peter said records have also indicated that a total of 98 individuals were diagnosed with these cancers in 2008, with 45 men dying from prostate cancer.
Dr Peter, who was at the time addressing a march and rally on Saturday to officially launch activities to observe Cancer Awareness Month in Grand Bay said the numbers of these incidents are too high for such a small population.
“Cancer stricken individuals translate into less work productivity and increase health expenditure,” she said.
Health Minister Julius Timothy told the massive gathering that colon cancer was non existent in Dominica a few years ago.
But he said this deadly disease is as a result of the local population eating habits, especially the consumption of fast foods.
He called for persons to change their eating habits, while pledging his government’s support to provide assistance to the Cancer Society in its initiative.
The parliamentary representative for the area Justina Charles also appealed to the nation to take advantage of the many free medical services that are available.
Meantime the President of the Dominica Cancer Society Vinna Royer shared her story having survived cancer for over 17 years.
She said it is as a result of her relationship with God, she is committed to reaching out to others affected by cancer.
There was also an announcement by the Vice President and Public Relations Officer of the Cancer Society Father Franklyn Cuffy to establish Cancer Support groups in all seven health districts on island.
The month of activities will be held at all health centers throughout the Grand Bay district.
They include daily pap smear screening for ladies, prostate and breast exams for men, as well as counseling.
– DNO Correspondent
why dont you go back to the damn soil? we aint no tree . what the hell? serioulsy do you people hear yourselves. all you all do is complain about everything damn. You all want the technology and the fast stuff but yall dont wanna suffer the consequences. if you want to go back to the soil then go to the soil and shut the hell up already!
We are from the earth, as Genesis says, and we need to consume the produce and plants that God has placed in the earth for us, That is where the life is.The man-made products and animal based foods are not for our consumtion. We have forsaken the land and have adopted all these foods that are filled with chemiclas and additives (poison) into our bodies. A man is what he eats. Also we need to cleanse. If we change the oil in our cars what makes us believe that we don’t need to get rid of all the poison that accumulates in our bodies. Instead of the natural water, we are now consuming sodas like never before. We need to stop buying all these Kentucky fried chicken that is being fried in oil that is being resused and we expect not to be sick. Dominicans, go back to the soil.
ahmen
Yes, we need to take responsibility for our health and well being. Ladies do your annual physicals which includes papsmear and mamograms,and don’t forget your monthly self breast exam. To the men, please do your prostate exam and blood work on a yearly basis, that could save you a whole lot of pain and suffering, if your condition is diagnosed early. REMEMBER PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. I agree with the previous comment regarding eating plant based foods. Eating raw vegetables and fruits are very nutritious and have a great impact on your body’s metabolism and response to risk factors. Make this one of your goals: AT LEAST FIVE SERVINGS OF RAW FRUIT OR VEGETABLES PER DAY. Stay healthy and be conscious of what we put into our bodies.
here is the minister of health making outrageous claims again. I have known people who have died from stomach or colon cancer in Dominica more than ten years ago. Fast food was not an issue then.
Fast food off course is not the healthiest and to much of it like every other food can lead to some kinda disease mostly cholesterol and heart disease. The key is to maintain adequate consumption of fibre and a balance diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Organic foods.
I am convinced that the increase in cancer may be environmental. There is so much chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides etc that is being used in dominica today unlike the old days when all our farming was mainly organic. In some cases no consideration had been paid to our water and the potential effect on human when these chemicals were used/are used.
The ministry of environment and health need to examine the statistics on what kind of cancers affect the population most, where the highest rates are concentrated and research the potential causes of these cancers. Then try to pinpoint the potential cause by looking at the eating and social habits, environmental history etc of the particular area and determine whether they may be contributing factors.
Most cancers if not genetic are caused by repeated long term exposure to cancer causing agents, so it is not something that just started.
LCM, I don’t know what you mean by the “old days”, but as far as I can remember use of chemicals has been used indiscriminately in agriculture in Dominica for a very long time (in excess of 50 years). So if your theory is correct we should have been seeing these deaths for a long time, unless the time factor for these cancers to reveal themselves takes that long. We all know that lung cancer can take decades to affect smokers. The point I am making is that the use of chemicalsin agriculture is nothing new to Dominca.
I think there is a greater concern than the diet. There are many people who rely on fast foods in the virgin Islands etc and the rate of cancer is not so high. I will continue to say that the water system in Dominica is polluted by the many pesticides. It is time that a serious look is placed into testing the water system – especially Salisbury.
I am in total agreement with you. We need to re-examine those 30 year old water pipes that are still in use around the country. Could asbestos be a possible cause of some of these cancers? What about some of the chemicals used on our farms? Aren”t these chemicals banned in north America and Europe ? What about having radio talk shows about personal responsibility?
Minister Timothy is on target. Today’s “fast food” diet often includes meat that has been prepared by frying in oil that is used and reused non-stop for hours. That is deadly stuff!!!
It has been said that the more dead food you consume, the sooner you die. All meat is dead food, but the highly processed meat consumed in fast-food restaurants is particularly deadly.
On the other hand, If we would eat more live foods–plant based foods eaten as whole as possible–we would see a drastic reduction in the occurence of today’s of lifestyle-related illnesses, such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes, among others. Remember this phrase (5 words, each word consisting of 5 letters) as a key to good health: WHOLE PLANT FOODS EATEN WHOLE.
To all ladies, please do not be afraid to take your pap smear test. It can be a live-saver.
Women, lets be not be complacent. It can be the best decision you might make.
We are sometimes afraid to hear the results, but better the doctor catches any abnormality early
than let fear keep us from doing a simple test.
Thanks DNO for letting us express views. So please ladies , lets be concerned about our health.
PEACE!!!!!!!