Cancer patient screening still remains a challenge for Fiji Cancer Society

People are still frighten to show up for cancer screening due to the myth in their mindset apart from not being informed.

Fiji Cancer Society Clinical Nurse Manager Karolina Tamani highlighted this during the free screening for breast cancer examination and pap smear testing at their clinic along Waimanu Road opposite CWMH Maternity Unit.

Tamani says apart from people lacking information of cancer awareness, most people generally have the myth that having cancer is death.

The Nurse Manager says people must understand that early detection and treatment can help save lives, people just have to come forward for screening.

Tamani highlighted the challenges when going out to communities and work places as people are frighten to get checked due to the open space.

She further says their top priority is to ensure privacy and confidentiality of their patients information from the one to one sessions.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Cancer Society says if people haven't had a pap smear in the last 3 years have to take advantage of the free screening, dates and locations that will be posted on their facebook page.

The Cancer Society has also mentioned that pap smears aren't testing for cancer only but to check for signs of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and pre-cancerous warning signs on the cervix so they can be treated early before it turns into cervical cancer.