(GUYANA TIMES) – The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) launched its annual Pinktober activities on Friday evening, aimed at educating Guyanese on cancer care and raising funds to support treatment for patients.

Themed “Live Aware”, the company is seeking to share knowledge on the types of cancers to reduce the mortality rate from the disease. This is the third year this activity has been organised, but emphasis was lifted from only breast cancer and placed on other leading forms that affect men, women and children.

Funds will be used towards the access to cancer screening treatment, care and psychological support. Speaking at the launch held at MovieTowne, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence encouraged persons to get screened.

“We’re all susceptible, so let us wake up and join the fight to lower the risk factors associated with cancer…The time for action most certainly is now, so I encourage everyone to get screened so that you do not become another statistic. Screening is imperative. We know that chant: early detections can have positive outcomes”.

She shared that women in the population are at risk for cancer, resulting in increased efforts to lower the statistics. This has been done through campaigning by the Ministry.

“The data shows that our women are at risk with cancer of the cervix, accounting for 22.1 per cent and breast cancer, 21.9 per cent, followed by ovarian cancer. This is the reason for the Ministry of Public Health and our public health officials’ active campaign to initiate measures to vigorously address cancer, particularly breast cancer and cervical cancer,” Lawrence highlighted.

Meanwhile, Coordinator Diana Gittens mentioned that there are many activities which Guyanese can look forward to during the month of October.

The Cancer Care Symposium is the very first Pinktober 2019 event, slated for October 1, which will provide a platform for survivors, caregivers, patients and health care professionals to speak of the challenges and other areas of cancer-care management in Guyana.

Later in the month, on October 13, ‘Strike for the Fight’ Pinktober Football Match is a fundraising event which will educate Guyanese on the importance of early screening, exercising, and having knowledge of family medical history. This will be linked to the role it plays in early detection.

Meanwhile, the 5k and 10k walk and run will be hosted on October 26. This is the most supported Pinktober event, which brings together a diverse range of stakeholders to walk in recognition of cancer awareness.

Additionally, “Live Aware, Live Beautiful” will be an ongoing initiative throughout the month that will provide small businesses with the opportunity to indulge patients, caregivers and survivors who were affected in some way by cancer.