Health officials urge women to use free breast cancer screenings

With breast cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Guyanese women, health officials are urging women to access free screening services at regional hospitals.

Speaking at the launch of Pinktober, Chronic Disease Coordinator within the Ministry of Health, Dianele Drepaul, encouraged women to prioritise their health by scheduling regular screenings and staying informed.

“We need to emphasise on early detection. The Ministry of Health, in the year 2025, we have introduced four mammograms in four different regions– regions 2, 6, 9, and 10. I’m urging everyone to access our services. We noticed that the uptake is very low right now,” Drepaul said.

She highlighted additional initiatives aimed at improving cancer care:

“We’re also working on other initiatives whereby we’re doing trainings with healthcare workers. In June we developed a breast cancer strategy. Soon there will be a launch for that. So look out for that. We need to look at education, this is a major aspect. We’re in an era of technology– we can go online and read about symptoms. Visit your nearest health centre and your doctor will guide you,” she noted.

Data from the Cancer Institute of Guyana shows that breast cancer accounted for more than 17 percent of cancer-related deaths in 2023 and 30 percent of diagnosed cases.

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the institute is offering free screening packages—including mammograms, medical consultations, and clinical breast examinations—throughout October.