Tuesday February 4 will be World Cancer Day. Like 2013, this year the focus world-wide is on shattering common myths and misconceptions about cancer.
Faces of Cancer has committed to educating secondary school students on debunking the myths on cancer and hence will host a series of sensitization initiatives about the disease at various schools and venues on the island.
Among the schools involved are the Micoud Secondary School, Choiseul Secondary School and Piaye Secondary School. Faces of Cancer also plans to visit the Richfond Primary School to discuss healthy lifestyles with the students.
Faces of Cancer said it will provide support for those affected by cancer and create better conditions and resources for persons who have been diagnosed.
The organization, in order to raise awareness, will host an awareness drive outside the Super J Supermarket in La Tourney Vieux Fort on February 4, followed by a presentation in La Fargue Choiseul under the same theme.
On Sunday February 2, Faces of Cancer will host a church service in the Mabouya Valley, followed by a cake sale which will provide an opportunity to socialise and contribute to the organisation.
During the month of February, Faces of Cancer will also host educational presentations with a local herbalist, spiritualist and medical doctor on detection, screening, treatment and prevention.
Dispelling the myths identified this year will shed some light on issues associated with cancer and ignite hope for those affected, the organization said.
“The expectation is that through education, we can improve the frequency of early detection, vastly enhance the lives of those affected and decrease the incidence of cancer through prevention strategies,” the group said in a press release.
Common myths about cancer:
Myth 1: We don’t need to talk about cancer.
Truth: Whilst cancer can be a difficult topic to address, particularly in some cultures and settings, dealing with the disease openly can improve outcomes at an individual, community and policy level.
For most people, a diagnosis of cancer is a life-changing event commonly evoking feelings of shock, fear, anger, sadness, loneliness and anxiety. Talking about cancer to partners, family members, friends and colleagues can help to alleviate these feelings. Talking about cancer challenges negative beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate myths about cancer, cause fear and stigma and prevent people from seeking early detection and treatment.
Myth 2: There are no signs or symptoms of cancer
Truth: For many cancers, there are warning signs and symptoms and the benefits of early detection are indisputable.
It is true that early signs and symptoms are not known for all cancers, but for many cancers, including breast, cervical, skin, oral and colorectal cancers, and some childhood cancers, the benefits of early detection are indisputable. Therefore the provision of a skilled and supported cancer workforce is critical to the success of early detection programmes for cancer.
Myth 3: There is nothing I can do about cancer
Truth: There is a lot that can be done at an individual, community and policy level, and with the right strategies, a third of the most common cancers can be prevented.
The conditions in which people live and work, and their lifestyles, influence their health and quality of life. The implementation of policies and programmes that support a life-course approach to prevention, and strengthen the capacity of individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles choices can bring about behavioural change, which can help prevent cancer.
Myth 4: I don’t have the right to cancer care
Truth: All people have the right to access proven and effective cancer treatments and services on equal terms, and without suffering hardship as a consequence.
Faces of Cancer believes that all people should have access, without discrimination, to needed health services, and safe, affordable, and effective medicines and technologies. However patients in low resource settings whose cancer may be curable in the developed world, often suffer and die unnecessarily due to a lack of awareness, resources and access to affordable and quality cancer services.
Faces of Cancer hopes that by focusing on educating the youth on healthy lifestyles and the facts of cancer there can be a decrease in the number of incidents of the disease in our society over time.