Rising statistics for breast and cervical cancer in Madang

As the famous saying goes, 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away', the same principles can be applied with positive attitudes to breast checks and Pap Smears. ' A breast check today keeps the doctor away '
Breast checks and Pap Smear tests have been made more affordable for a limited time only with help of the kind sponsorship of the Friends of Women Doctors in Madang (FWD). The "Early Detection" program currently facilitated through Natu Clinic in Madang, is the FWD reponse to the increasing statistics of Breast and Cervical cancer in Madang. FWD kindly funded a certain quota of women in Madang to have a routine check for any signs and symptons. The fee at Natu clininc normally costs around K80, however, FWD subsidised this fee, encouraging more women to go in and have the checks done at just K40.

Get screening done today at Natu Clinic under the
'Early Detection Program'

Although this service has always been available to women in Madang for as long as I can remember, not all women have made use of it. It's important that I should discuss, perhaps, the underlying factors that come into perspective at this juncture. There are certain cultural aspects of PNG culture that prevent women from participating in organised health activities, and in this case its called the " Early Detection Program". Before we get to that, lets talk about the work of the newly founded group mentioned above.
Friends of Women Doctors (FWD) was purposely established to support the work of female doctors here in Madang and ultimately educate women old and young on lifestyle diseases.
In a statement issued by FWD, Breast and Cervical cancer still remains the most common cancers in the world. Thankfully, with the use of modern technology, progress made through better diagnostics, improved treament and more understanding of risk factors, women in Madang can be detected in the early stages and awareness is increased.
"timely education can empower women to make the best choices for their own health, maintain productivity and continue as caregivers for their families," said Jane Marshall, FWD Secretary.
Natu clinic is equipped with Pap Smear Test Kits from Australia, which has reduced the turnaround time for results for women. Once tested it only takes a week for women to have results back.
"Our association is seeking assistance and partnership to enable us to strengthen our strategies in the overall drive to improve women's health in Madang province and PNG as a whole."

FWD plans to;

• Serve low-income, non-income, uninsured, and underserved women who lack access to vital medical education health services;
• Encourage early recognition of breast and cervical cancer through early screening;
• Promote public education through the "Women's Wellness Connection";
• Establish outreach programs to service women in rural areas;
• Establish a K1.00 health fund with Pacific MMI Insurance;
• Maintain a weekly 'radio doctor' with Radio Madang ( Sponsors needed)
• Promoting a monthly 'Wellness Clinic Day' for women.
• Commissioning the use of the latest technology in radiography;

Left - Dr Hannelly Taitarae and participants of the program.

The group will also improve the skills of health care professionals through further skills training within the province and also have this service available in the rural setting. It also aims to further collaborate with business houses and organisations to encourage women employees to participate the "Early Detection program". The data collected from the screenings can also be put towards the formulation of promoting womens health needs and monitoring in the Madang province.
Initial funding has been initiated by the Pacific MMI, Pathfinders International, Laer Builders and has enabled FWD to register as a non-profit association in PNG.
For further information you can contact , the chairlady, Mrs Sagi Seko in 72490938 or email sagilamseko@datec.net.pg or natuhsm@online.net.pg.
Donations can be made to Madang Women Doctors "One Kina Health Fund", Bank of South Pacific, BSP: 0088960 ACC: 1001751617.

Many women in PNG are simply afraid to get themselves checked because these checks require you to, and if I may say, strip to the bare necessities. It may be a humiliating process for some, because PNG women grow up within their families, villages and communities with the knowlegde that things of this nature, that is child birth, sex and the reproductive system, men,  are only discussed with an elderly and more experienced mama (woman) from their area. These issues are only discussed within their culture or society where they are comfortable. For women to discuss these things with another women from another province or part of the country, there are some hesitations.
 In some cultures of PNG, sex is tabu and rarely spoken of and so women's sexual health is rarely spoken of untill they (women) visit the next local health centre and find they have health problems.
FWD is inevitably trying to overcome barriers by initiating the "Early Detection Program" and by spreading awareness, women will overcome cultural barriers. Usually the reaction to such a check is 'Mi Sem ya' or in english I'm ashamed. There was a lady in the Madang market selling her daily crops for cash last week and was told to attend the screening, however, she refused and simply responded 'Me bisi, Me les ya' or 'I'm busy and I dont want to'. This is the indication of ignorance and lazyness in regards to cultural and attitudinal barriers of our own women. We found out later that she experienced servere abdominal pains and wasnt able to continue marketing her produce. Cases like the market lady are untraceable as women from the Highlands provinces are only in Madang town for very short periods of time, to sell fresh produce and travel out again. How do we convince them?
Better to get over your insecurities then suffer from possible cancer of the breast or cervix! By the end of it, you'll be wondering what all the fuss was about. If it involves saving ones life then all the better to be checked then to be sorry. Perhaps our madang women are comforted with the idea that female doctors and midwives at Natu Clinic are conducting the tests and therefore puts them at ease.

Far right- Sagilam Seko in pink, Chairman of the Friends of Women

Doctors and supporters of the program.

I lost a very dear friend to breast cancer and so I remain committed to the cause!