Fiji records up to 600 new cases of cancer out of which 98% are breast cancer cases – Akbar

Fiji records up to 600 new cases of cancer and 130 breast cancer diagnosis in both men and women and 60 to 70 breast cancer surgeries every year.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Rosy Akbar who says this makes breast cancer the most common form of cancer amongst Fijian women as they make up 98% of breast cancer patients.

She made these remarks while officiating at the Pinktober Awareness, Rural Women’s Day and World Food Day Program in Ba.

The Minister has highlighted that women, in general, do so much at the cost of their own well being so many times.

She says early detection of breast cancer in women is important for the effective management of the disease and although there is no current treatment to prevent breast cancer, early detection of the disease can lead to an excellent outcome.

Akbar says this is exactly why women need to pay attention to themselves first as most women overlook and ignore what their bodies are trying to tell them and they prioritise everyone and everything else, except themselves.

The Minister further says this is why families also have to look out for the well-being of their mothers, wives and daughters as well.

Meanwhile, Adi Menani Vukivuki, a 74-year-old cancer survivor from Ba is her message to all women and girls is simple - early detection save lives.

She also thanked her family and church members for their support.