TO BUILD MOMENTUM AGAINST CANCER: NAGATA

Students and lecturers were challenged to continue to build the momentum of cancer awareness in communities by the Assistant Minister For Youth & Sports Alipate Nagata, who officiated at the Pinktober event at the University of Fiji Saweni Campus in Lautoka, yesterday.

“I challenge you and our young people, students to come forward be serious about your health,” he said. “Do the right thing. Do a medical check-up. Do not wait till it is too late. Because the costs to your loved ones and our nation is huge! “The benefits of the Pinktober campaign are enormous. Therefore, we must continue to support this campaign. Let’s continue to build on the momentum against breast cancer,” he said. Cancer is a threat to both females and males which is a serious fact. “While breast and cervical cancer are commonly associated with females, prostate cancer affects males. Therefore, we should be serious and give proper attention and commitment against cancer,” Mr Nagata said.

According to the Ministry of

Health, Fiji currently has between 250 and 300 breast cancer cases. Some 98 per cent are females while males comprise 2 per cent. While the incidence maybe low for males, the fact is, breast cancer also affects males.

“The message to all of us is that cancer is deadly. We do not have the cure for it in Fiji,” Mr Nagata said. “However, our medical personnel have the capacity to detect early signs of cancer. The good news is that cancer is curable if it is detected early.

“Therefore, we all have a duty and role to play against breast cancer. Initially, it is all our duty to have medical examinations. This is a very good practice. We should be conscious of our health.

“Our lives are precious. Fiji needs a healthy population. Prevention is better than cure!

The rationale behind organising the Pinktober campaign is noble and farsighted.

“We must all be part of this Pinktober campaign,” he said.

“We should take this campaign to our homes, our communities, our religious organisations, our schools, our workplaces. It is our responsibility to remind each other about this deadly disease.” He acknowledged all the cancer survivors out there today in our communities.

“Thank you for your courage, determination and will to share your experiences. I also wish to encourage those fighting the cancer battle out there, there is hope.”