Each year on February 4, the world observes World Cancer Day in an effort to raise awareness of the various cancers, and encourage prevention, detection, and treatment.
The Cancer Institute of Guyana came into existence as a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana (Ministry of Health) and the Private Sector (Global Imaging Service Inc) in 2006. However, in 2003 Global Imaging Service Inc (GIS) provided Medical Imaging Services in MRI and CT Scans to the Ministry of Health, which included such services in diagnosing and treating cancer on a 24-hour basis.
GIS was the first to establish the External Beam Radiation Treatment Machine (LINAC) to the country.
Radiation Oncologist, Dr Narendra Bhalla MD, who was assigned to Guyana, would visit on a regular basis to provide Oncology consultation and appropriate treatment plans for Guyana’s cancer patients. In the absence of the oncologist, Dr Mercedes Lopez, MD is readily available for consultations.
The mammography machine for breast cancer screening
A Linear Accelerator Machine is available at the institute to provide radiation therapy for patients who are diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy is also offered at the Institute. This is the treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells and is often used in addition to surgery or radiation to treat the disease when it has spread, recurred or when there is a chance that it could recur.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, General Manager Fiona Legall said the institute has two locations: one at St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Parade Street and one in the Georgetown Public Hospital compound on Lamaha Street.
“Global Imaging Service Inc – DBA Mercy Open MRI located in St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Parade Street, Kingston offers MRI, CT Scans and Ultrasounds (General/OBGYN) and the Cancer Institute of Guyana Inc located in GPHC Compound offers Oncology Consultations, Mammography, Pap Smears, Chest X-Ray, Chemotherapy, External Beam Radiation Therapy, Intra Cavitary Radiation Therapy, CT Scans and Bone Density Scans,” Legall stated.
GIS, following its mission statement, makes these treatments readily available to patients that come through the Ministry of Health at a subsidized rate. To date, the Cancer Institute of Guyana has diagnosed many patients and has treated more than 960 patients since 2006 for radiation therapy.
Legall said cancer is a growing medical problem in Guyana and the number of persons who seek treatment continues to grow each month.
As we observe Cancer Awareness Month, Legall emphasized the importance of early detection of the disease if the present trend is to be reversed. She noted too that the institute offers cancer screening, mammogram and ultrasounds, pap smears, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and brachytherapy.
It is advisable, Legall said, that women who are sexually active or are 18 years and older should have annual pap smears and pelvic examinations. All females over 40 years of age should have an annual mammography for breast cancer. Legall adamantly believes that early detection saves lives.
“For women, just as how they have a party and treat themselves nicely for their birthdays, so too they can aim to have checkups at least twice a year. Getting their pap smears and mammograms done can be a treat for themselves while knowing they are healthy,” Legall urged. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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