Cancer survivor calls for Health ministry to have better plans in place for patients treatment

Jiu Tikoitoga who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2020 is calling on the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to have better plans in place for patient's treatment overseas.

While sharing her journey as a cancer patient Tikoitoga says after noticing some symptoms she then went to the CWM Hospital for further tests and examinations where it was confirmed that she had stage 3 cervical cancer.

She says 2020 was a year of COVID lockdown therefore it was difficult for her to go for overseas treatment and she had to do everything on her own.

Tikoitoga says the Ministry of Health was not able to identify a hospital for her overseas treatment or help her with her appointments.

However, she says she managed to do all those with the help of her husband and family but it was very costly for her as well because she was a private patient.

Tikoitoga says after her successful treatment she is hoping to go for a review after 5 years.

She says early detection comes from families therefore she encourages everyone to get detected for any diseases.

The cancer survivor says we can significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer and other NCDs by adopting a simple lifestyle behaviour and taking a more active role in the future.

She says some cancers are caused by our genes however, majority are due to our lifestyle.