Guyana to receive cancer-fighting drugs from Martinique

The French Caribbean island of Martinique has expressed willingness to provide Guyana with radioactive nuclear drugs used to treat certain types of cancer, according to Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony.

Speaking at a ceremony on Sunday celebrating cancer survivors who received treatment in Martinique, Anthony said discussions held several months ago had yielded promising results for cancer care in Guyana.

“The discussions that we had a couple months ago — they are actually willing to send some of these things to the doctors here so that they can use it on patients here, so isotopes that are especially geared to reduce certain types of cancers,” Anthony said.

The event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Health and Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc., honored several cancer survivors, including patients who underwent treatment in Martinique.

Among those sharing their experiences were breast, cervical and prostate cancer survivors. They spoke about their journeys from diagnosis through treatment and recovery, while highlighting the support they received from Guyana's healthcare system.

Cancer survivor Alyson Chester, who resides in St. Lucia, praised the care she received in Guyana. She noted that cancer treatment in St. Lucia often requires patients to pay for various tests and procedures out of pocket.

“The treatment is real good,” Chester said. “In St. Lucia, I would have had to pay for every blood test that I had to do. Everything that you have to do concerning your treatment, you had to pay.”

She also commended the Oncology Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for its compassionate care.

“You are so lucky with that oncology department there because they look after you and the nurses there, everybody, they’re so good and kind to you,” she said. “Even though you’re going through that journey, you don’t feel alone because there’s always people there and they’re very encouraging.”

Prostate cancer survivor Aubrey Knight used the occasion to encourage men over the age of 40 to undergo prostate cancer screening.

“It’s not the finger anymore, you know, so don’t be afraid,” Knight said, referring to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. “It’s just a blood test now and you will know your PSA.”

Anthony echoed that appeal, urging men to be proactive about their health.

“One of the big problems that we’ve got, they don’t come to clinic and they only come when you’re really sick,” he said. “There’s a stubbornness with men that we have to overcome.”

The health minister said Guyana continues to expand cancer screening and prevention programs. He noted that additional mammography centers are being established across the country to improve breast cancer detection, while HPV vaccination coverage has increased to approximately 69%.

Guyana is aiming to achieve full vaccination coverage in an effort to eventually eliminate cervical cancer, Anthony said.

He also highlighted recent improvements in access to diagnostic services, noting that biopsies are now available free of charge through the public health system, eliminating costs that previously reached as much as US$100 for patients.

In addition, Anthony said Guyana is strengthening international partnerships with leading cancer institutions, including the Texas-based MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Pan American Health Organization, the National Cancer Institute of India and a pediatric cancer center in Colombia.

“We have to continue to work as we build and grow our system and get the right expertise,” he said.

Dr. Shivani Samlall, chief executive officer of Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc., said the organization is focused on improving cancer outcomes through education, prevention, early detection, advocacy and patient support.

“We aim to raise awareness, promote screening, empower communities with knowledge, and provide assistance to those navigating cancer care,” said Samlall, an obstetrician-gynecologist.