By Melanie AllicockThe Cancer Institute of Guyana, located in the GPHC compoundA total of 932 patients are accessing treatment for various forms of cancer from the Cancer Institute of Guyana sited in the Georgetown Hospital compound.Noting that cancer is a growing medical problem in Guyana, Dr Vilma Perez, an associate consultant who has been with the institute since its establishment, said that the number of persons who seek treatment continues to grow each month.Last January, the number of patients on the institute’s outpatient register was just 100.As Guyana observes Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Perez emphasised the importance of early detection of the disease if the present trend is to be reversed.She lamented the fact that breast cancer is now more prevalent and is affecting younger women.“We have women on treatment here that are just 30 years old,” Dr Perez said.She, however,Alshon Jeffery Bears Jersey, said that the institution is making a major difference in Guyana through the services it provides.Global Imaging Services/Cancer Institute of Guyana is a private institution and a project of the Ministry of Health/Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. It was inaugurated in June 2006.Radiation Oncologist, Dr Narendra Bhalla, was brought to Guyana from Chicago under the auspices of Global Imaging Services to start the clinic, to evaluate and to select patients for radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.A Linear Accelerator Machine is available at the institute to provide radiation therapy for patients who are diagnosed with cancer.Radiation treatment can be considered as pockets of energy in the form of photons or particles, (e.g. protons,Steven Stamkos Lightning Jersey, neutrons and electrons) during which treatment with high energy is used to kill or shrink cancer cells.Radiation treatment can either be external (from the outside) or using special materials placed directly in the tumour (internal radiation). The Institute uses both methods.An Imaging Technician has also been trained in the operation of the machine and in administering treatment.Chemotherapy is also offered at the Institute, and to date, 52 persons have benefited from this service.Chemotherapy is the treatment with drugs to destroy cancer cells and is often used in addition to surgery or radiation to treat the disease when it has spread, when it has recurred or when there is a chance that it could recur.Dr Perez noted that, from the beginning, it was obvious that the institute was a great help for patients since in the first two weeks, more than 50 patients were seen, four of whom immediately started radiation therapy.Previously,Keanu Neal Falcons Jersey, Guyanese afflicted with cancer had to travel to Trinidad, Barbados or North America to access treatment, which was very expensive.The lack of a support system when they returned home also had proved to be a problem.The Cancer Institute offers cancer screening, mammogram and ultrasounds, pap smears, radiotherapy,Chris Paul Team USA Jersey, chemotherapy and Brachytherapy.Commenting on some of the services offered,http://www.cheapnfljerseyswholesaleoutlet.cc/cheap-minnesota-wild-jersey-outlet/, Dr Perez said that 171 persons have accessed radiotherapy since the opening of the clinic.Of these, 24 were treated for cancer of the breast, 22 for cancer of the cervix,New York Mets Tom Seaver Jersey, 15 for head and neck cancers and 11 for the endometrium and uterus.Only one person received radiotherapy treatment at the institute for prostate cancer,Ubaldo Jimenez Orioles Jersey, which still has the highest local prevalent rate, but Dr Perez explained that this is because most of these patients access treatment from their urologists.Dr Perez expressed pleasure with the fact that many persons are utilising the screening services at the institute, re-emphasising the importance of early detection.A total of 264 persons were screened for mammograms and 102 for pap smears, while 110 accessed ultrasounds.The clinic saw most participation for mammogram screening from women in the 40-49 year-old age group. Forty such persons were screened.She noted that the response from women below the age of 35 was almost nil.“Previously it was advocated that women access mammogram screening after they reach 40, but this has to be revised since more and more women are being diagnosed with cancer at a younger age…I would advise that all women do mammograms, regardless of age.”Emphasising the growing prevalence of cancer locally, Dr Perez reminded that “prevention is better than cure.”“Screening,Guy Lapointe Canadiens Jersey, the early cancer detection process, should be done since the treatment and prognosis of the disease depends on the stage it is diagnosed.”She also stressed that effective treatment of cancer requires a multidisciplinary approach in which everyone must get involved.“Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians and relatives need to get more involved with supporting persons living with cancer.”Cancers are caused by diseases of cells and are characterised by abnormal cell proliferation which causes massive increases in size and capacity of tissues.Cancer cells have the ability to spread through the body and cause death.It is advised that women who are sexually active or are 18 years and older should have annual pap smears and pelvic examinations.All females over 40 years of age should have an annual mammography for breast cancer.