Cancer patients still arriving late

Many cancer patients in Papua New Guinea are still arriving at health services when the disease is already at an advanced stage.

Radiation Therapist and Tumor Registry Officer with National Cancer Services, Mare Mange, says early detection remains a major challenge.

Mange says about 50 to 60 percent of breast and cervical cancer patients arrive for treatment at an advanced stage, while about 40 percent are detected early.

She says most patients recorded are between 30 and 60 years old.

Mange is urging people to pay attention to changes in their bodies and seek medical help early.

Breast cancer can also affect men, and people should not ignore unusual changes in the breast.

National Cancer Services provides breast screening every Thursday, and the service is free.

Mange says early screening can help identify cancer before it becomes more difficult to treat.

She is encouraging women and men to make use of available screening services and seek medical advice when they notice unusual changes.

The call comes during October, which is observed internationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Pinktober.