Life with cancer

Fear of cancer hindrance. It’s strange, when hear the word cancer, and it's scary, but then the doctors temper it with words like “good prognosis” and “months, or even years!” and then it doesn’t seem so scary anymore.

The Colonial War Memorial Hospital medical superintendent and head oncologist, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said there was hope yet for patients battling the physical, emotional and psychological effects of cancer and it is possible to overcome cancer. Cancer can be detached by improving the psychologically and emotionally aspects of the patient so that he or she enjoys the quality of life before God calls them.

Suddenly you feel like you still have forever with this person, like the only difference will be that they have an extra doctor’s appointment occasionally, maybe have some blood work done. And then you get that call, one afternoon. It’s not a good day or a bad day, it’s just Friday.

And you get that call. And all of a sudden, that person you were supposed to have months or years with could truly be gone in days, hours, or minutes. Maybe even before you can get to the hospital to see them.

Cancer patients are in need of empathy. It is not easy fighting for cancer. When you see a cancer victim that’s when you know the true terror of cancer and death, when you’re 3 hours away, with obligations keeping you there through the week, yet knowing that someone you love is suffering in a hospital room, on the verge of death.

Not knowing if you’ll get to see them before the end, or what they’ll be like, how aware they’ll be, or even if this is the end at all.

That terror isn’t just a feeling. It eats you up from the inside, reminders everywhere, in everything, infused with everything in your daily life. And the terror doesn’t subside. Every time it rears its ugly head, it’s just as terrible as the first time.

Dying wish, even when the terror ends and the person is gone and you hope you can continue a semblance of your former life, despite the gaping hole, terror decides to leave behind a present: sadness. And that sadness doesn’t go away, whether it’s been a day, a month, a year, or 5 years. The sadness doesn’t leave you until you are on your deathbed, which exactly when terror decides to strike your friends and family yet again

Fiji has a high cancer rate

Concerns have been raised over the emergence of breast and cervical cancer as the leading causes of death for women in Fiji.  Cancer respects no one irrespective of age, gender, religion or ethnicity. In Fiji Cervical cancer tops list followed by breast, uterus or the baby bag, and ovary which carries the eggs. Other cancers are skin, prostrate in men, large intestine, stomach, lung, liver and blood cancer.

“There are a lot of theories on cervical cancer and we have vaccination to prevent it. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in the country right now and we have a good screening program to control it,” said Dr Tukana.

Once it gets in the blood and spreads, then it's too late and it’s hard to stop. We can avoid getting cancer and we can also die without having any diseases.

Breast cancer is like a taboo in Fiji. There is a need for women to come out. In Fiji many are of the mentality that once a person is diagnosed with cancer they would die.

A lot of counselling is needed for women. The culture has been such that it is a taboo to discuss the reproductive organs but the awareness is out. Women with breast cancer need to be empowered and supported by their partners, families, friends and medical practitioners  so that they are able to make decisions which change their lives completely, but also give them a chance to claim back their lives.It is important for people to keep talking about it until it sinks in. 

Men also need to be involved, they need to encourage their partners to go and have regular checks. Everyone should take advantage of the free services and get a pap smear done and maybe get the help they need. it could even be a matter of life and death for some people. What is important though is the need for each one of us to remove the fear that has long been associated with cancer. It starts with encouragement for women to be part of this exercise. It is very important that women are pro-active.

Change your lifestyle. I believe that people can avoid getting cancer by eating the right food, sleeping well and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol. They should also avoid industrially processed food and barbecued meat.

Greater awareness needs to be created to ensure health services for women are available, accessible and affordable through the public health service.A positive note is the fact that research has advanced treatment options that can extend a woman's life. This will, however, depend on early detection

Pinktober

Pinktober launched. It's that time again when we rock pink as we mark breast cancer awareness month. I believe it's a cause that goes all year long but traditionally, October has remained as the main focus.

All those pink ribbons appearing everywhere mark the arrival of Breast Cancer Awareness month and the many wonderful events being organized worldwide to raise awareness, detection and diagnosis, and to fundraise research for it’s prevention and cure.

Breast cancer and breast exams are not only for women, men can also get breast cancer and they should do breast exams. Doing a breast exam, self or by a doctor, can save your life. Early detection saves lives and cancer is curable said Dr. Tukana.

The month's Pinktober awareness campaign, according to the Fiji Cancer Society, has been organised as "a way of getting to the people rather than trying to bring them to us".

The campaign has been conducted in different centres around the country to allow easy access to services provided. It is about encouraging people to get screened and maybe get the help they need.

As the society pointed out, it could even be a matter of life and death for some people. What is important though is the need for each one of us to remove the fear that has long been associated with cancer. It starts with encouragement for women to be part of this exercise.

It is important that women are pro-active and do their monthly check-ups. Cancer can be beaten. A positive note would have to be the fact that research has advanced treatment options that can extend a woman's life. This however depends on early detection