The Dominica Cancer Society held a Thanksgiving Prayer Breakfast on observance of World Cancer Awareness Day.

In her welcome address, President of the Dominica Cancer Society, Yvonne Alexander said that the society boasts “another successful year of operations and its all because of each and everyone of you gathered here especially our donors”. She said that the theme ‘Close the Care gap’ speaks to the “need of more equitable acces to Cancer diagnosis and treatment”.  She stressed the need for everyone to take personal responsibility for prevention which includes making healthier choices in food and drink, regular physical activity, effective stress management  and getting screened routinely.

Alexander called on those  who provide healthcare services to “play their part in creating an environment in which the gap for receiving timely diagnosis tests and treatment is significantly reduced. There are still too many incidents of waiting for months to get an appointment for a diagnostic test; a few more months before treatment commences, a few more months even to be properly diagnosed and referred to the oncology clinic. We can do so much better with that”.

According to her, the delays in health care services contributes to the cancer situation in Dominica.  She called on all stakeholders to stop playing lip service and work together to close the  care gap qhich will mean real progress in reducing the impact of cancer on Dominican society.

Alexander also called on all to help reduce the fear associated with cancer by not shying away from the topic in everyday conversations. Sje said that we must continue to speak about cancer in the family, the workplace  and social settings. In so doing, we will reduce the fear associated with the dreadful disesse and move each other to action.

 World Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated  on the 4th of February each year.