Cancer awareness activities and programmes continue into February, as the world intensifies the fight against the dreaded disease. Immediately following Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, comes World Cancer Day on February 4.

In Saint Lucia, education campaigns, screenings and testimonials will form part of a month-long observance for this year’s World Cancer Day.

Cancer remains among the top diseases claiming lives. In Saint Lucia, medical officials host daily activities in an effort to educate the population on cancer care and prevention. A calendar of activities to bring cancer awareness to the fore has been organized and will include testimonials from cancer survivors.

Ms. Naomi Grandison, Family Life Educator in the Bureau of Health Education said: “Cancer prevention is very important to us because it remains—according to the last epidemiological report—the number one killer in Saint Lucia. We want to highlight survivor stories of the survivors and increase education on preventive measures, early detection and better management of cancers.”

The theme for World Cancer Day 2023 is “Close the Care Gap”, while the locally-adapted sub-theme is “Prevent, Screen, Manage.”

Ms. Grandison said the 2023 campaign will be hosted via several media platforms.

“We will be using social media to inform persons about how tobacco, alcohol, high sugar and salt diets and diets high in saturated fats put you at risk for those very cancers that are contributing to loss of life in our country and in the world,” she explained.

She added that there has been a noticeable positive change toward the messages disseminated over the years. In 2022, cancer survivors joined the campaign and provided testimonials.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs is inviting the public to join in on discussions throughout the month, as the fight against cancer continues.