President Granger’s public engagements reduced as he continues cancer treatment

President David Granger, consistent with advice from his team of specialist doctors at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana, Cuba, continues to take precautionary measures in light of his recent diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
This is according to the Ministry of the Presidency, which in a statement on Sunday said that owing to his continued treatment, the Head of State’s public engagements have been reduced. It added that notwithstanding, President Granger continues to perform his duties.
According to webmd.com, chemotherapy targets cells that grow and divide quickly, as cancer cells do. Unlike radiation or surgery, which target specific areas, chemo can work throughout the body. But it can also affect some fast-growing healthy cells, like those of the skin, hair, intestines, and bone marrow. That’s what causes some of the side effects from the treatment. According to the website, some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, hair loss, easy bruising and bleeding, infection, anemia (low red blood cell counts), nausea and vomiting, appetite changes and constipation.
Accompanied by his wife, the Head of State travelled to the Republic of Cuba on October 30, to undergo a medical investigation. While there, the President was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma after an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors at CIMEQ. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a cancer that starts in a person’s lymph system.
The President’s medical team performed a number of medical interventions, including the first round of chemotherapy.
On November 21, one day after his return, the Head of State expressed gratitude to all his well-wishers and those who have lent support while he was away in Cuba.
“Thank you for your expressions of concern over the last three weeks … Throughout that time, I received greetings from you all and from other well-wishers.”
Lymphoma occurs when the lymph node cells or the lymphocytes begin to multiply uncontrollably, producing cancerous cells that have the abnormal capacity to invade other tissue throughout the body.
The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is further classified into a variety of subtypes based on the cell of origin (B-cell or T-cell), and the cell characteristics. The subtype of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma predicts the necessity of early treatment, the response to treatment, the type of treatment required, and the prognosis. The risk of developing Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma increases with age.
In May of this year, the President and the First Lady had travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what was referred to as their annual medical check-up.
At the time, and in response to reports in the press, the Government had revealed that the couple did their tests under a Caribbean medical insurance scheme at the Good Health Medical Centre. Those results, Government had said, indicated a clean bill of health.