Forty persons recently benefited from cancer screening and diagnostic services during an outreach at the Enmore Regional Hospital.
The exercise was conducted by the Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc., in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Oxford Medical Centre, according to a release from the organisation.
Women were offered cervical cancer screening through Pap smears and human papillomavirus testing. Those with abnormal results were provided with follow-up diagnostic services, including colposcopies and biopsies where necessary.
Clinical breast examinations and breast-health education were also provided, while women who met the relevant screening criteria were referred for mammograms. Men accessed prostate cancer screening and received information about the disease.
The organisation said one of the outreach’s main outcomes was that several women with previously abnormal cervical cancer screening results were able to access follow-up diagnostic care.
Lotus Cancer Initiative founder and chairperson Dr Shivani Samlall said every abnormal result represented an opportunity to prevent cancer.
“Every patient deserves the chance to access the next step in their care,” she said. “Through collaboration with the Ministry of Health and our community partners, we are helping to strengthen the continuum of care by bringing services closer to communities and supporting patients throughout their healthcare journey.”
Participants also received information about HPV infection, cervical cancer prevention, breast and prostate health and the importance of routine medical checks.
The organisation said the outreach formed part of its efforts to increase awareness, encourage routine screening and early diagnosis and ensure timely referrals for treatment.
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