By Sasha Pei-Silovo – EM TV, Port Moresby
Marshall Islands is strengthening efforts to combat cancer with the creation of a cancer survivorship plan that will become part of the country’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.
The Pacific island nation encompasses an area of 750,000 square miles; comprised of two parallel island chains that are 125 miles apart from each other. The total population is at around 55, 000.
Relatively small, compared to other Pacific nations; however, Marshall Islands has the world’s highest rate of cervical cancer with an incidence rate of 79.7 cases per 100, 000 women. Breast Cancer is the third most common cancer but only 7.8 per cent of women have gone through a mammogram test. Cancer accounts for at least 33 deaths annually; with 60 new cases diagnosed every year.
According to an extensive study conducted in 2004, the main reason for the high rates of cancer is “radioactive fallout from the U.S. testing of nuclear bombs there between 1946 and 1962.”
Recently, a team of doctors and cancer survivors visited the US state of Arkansas to meet with medical experts. The visit included a public discussion as the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ campus in Northwest Arkansas.
Dr Thomas Schulz, the director of the internal medicine residency program at UAMS’ Fayetteville campus, said the meetings were the first step in building a long-term relationship between UAMS and Marshall Islands health care providers.
He added that they hoped to support the Marshall Islands to secure much needed funding and equipment.
With improved strategies in place, health care providers in Marshall Islands are committed to working together with all stakeholders to create a realistic plan supported by the needed resources for implementation.
