Governor joins city residents to support fight against cancer

By CLARISSA MOI
NATIONAL Capital District governor Powes Parkop joined city residents to walk in an effort to support the fight against all forms of cancer.
Residents from as far as 14-Mile turned up in their pink outfits as early as 4am and participated in NCD’s Pinktober Walk and Yoga for Life information session which started at Murray Barracks and ended at the Sea Park Bazaar, Ela beach.
Parkop told the participants there was no proven cure for cancer, hence, early detection and prevention was important and living a healthy lifestyle was the only way to help reduce the risk of getting cancer.
“Twenty people die every day from cancer in our country,” he said.
“If you add it, that’s 100 people dying from cancer every week.”
Parkop noted that cancer had been neglected for a long time and the Government had now taken leadership and ownership in the fight against all forms of cancer.
He said the National Capital District Commission and the National Capital District heath authority would support the Port Moresby General Hospital in the fight against cancer.
“Now you can see at the Port Moresby General Hospital that there is construction work going on,” he said.
“The Government will be spending K9 million to build the cancer wing.”
Parkop said the Government would also spend K7 million on buying equipment for the cancer unit.
“Cancer has no proven cure,” he said.
“Prevention and early detection is important and only way to prevent yourself is to stay healthy, keep yourself fit and eat healthy food.”
Parkop said risk factors such as smoking, chewing betelnut, drinking alcohol and unhealthy eating habit should be minimised.
He noted that by next year, the 27 clinics in the nation’s capital will be providing free papsmear test.
“Between now and January, the clinics will be setting up, so women and young girls in the city can go to any of their nearby clinics and get tested and know their status.”
Parkop reminded participants to look out for signs and symptoms such as rash on the nipples, unusual pain in the breasts, puss discharge on the nipples and thickening lump in the breast.
, nipple and armpit and changes in shape and size of the breast.