It is important for Fijians to break away from the culture of not seeking assistance at an early stage of any illness.

Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum reiterated this message during the launch of the 2018 Pinktober Campaign which is a platform that creates awareness on breast cancer.

Sayed-Khaiyum says too often patients turn up to the hospital very late.
He adds this limits the ability of doctors to provide the necessary assistance needed especially with cancer related cases.

“Today is about creating awareness on breast cancer but generally we find in other areas on illnesses in Fiji. We tend to present ourselves must later on at the hospitals. Obviously sometimes people have expectations that once they go to the hospitals, the doctors will fix everything else. Doctors are only human beings – if you go too late to them even they cannot prevent it.”

The acting Prime Minister says it’s important to break away from the stigma associated with cancer and provide assistance to those who are in need.

The 2018 breast cancer awareness month will be held next month with the theme ‘Curable if detected early.’

The campaign will be spearheaded by the Health Ministry, Fiji Cancer Society and Fiji National University.