Sharon Rowley: Cancer patients the best messengers

UPDATE:

Sharon Rowley, patron of the Caribbean Association of Oncology and Haematology (CAOH), today urged cancer patients to reach out to people around them to make them aware of the disease, the need and importance for screening.

The CAOH is a Non-Governmental Organisation that was re-incorporated in July 2017 to address the developing needs of TT, as well as those of the Caribbean, in the field of haematology and oncology. This year’s theme entitles, ‘Heroes for Cancer.’ Addressing patients and staff members at the Breast Clinic at the National Radiotherapy Centre, St James, Rowley, wife of the Prime Minister, told patients to never underestimate the importance of hope.

She said there can be a change in treatment, a new drug, a new procedure; something may happen at any time to improve a patient’s prognosis. “I am wearing pink to show my support for breast cancer awareness,” she said, “but we have to go beyond the colours. Our wearing of coloured ribbons signifies the need for screening and education. It signifies the need for research and support. “I ask you, when you feel better, to reach out to persons around you. You are the best messengers, and I ask you to spread the message and hopefully, when you do, in the not-too-distant future, that one-in-eight chance of getting the disease will be reduced to zero.”

Rowley said cancer does not discriminate when or who it selects, or does not discriminate with gender or age neither between the different cultures, religions or who you are in society. “Cancer attacks from the lawyer to the doctor, from teacher to janitor, from calypsonian to prime minister. We can all be victims, cancer threatens our entire population. “I accepted the role of patron of CAOH because I saw it as an opportunity to raise my voice in the fight against cancer.”

While she is not a cancer survivor, Rowley told patients about her experience of coming close to know what it felt like after discovering a lump in her left breast. She said her doctor ordered a lumpectomy. “There was no prior mammogram, no MRI scan, no referral to an oncologist. As far as I was concerned, I was on my death bed but, thankfully for me, the lump was benign. “So as you see I am not a cancer survivor but I have had relatives who were less fortunate than I was and were diagnosed with cancer. I lost my mother to colon cancer in 2008. My brother in law was diagnosed with colorectal cancer when he was 44.

“There were days when he was sicker than he thought possible but there were days when he would go to work an even join the Friday after-work limes.”

To him, she said cancer survivorship was not about getting through cancer without dying but it was living through the treatment and finding a way to allow it to have a positive impact on his life and on lives of those around him.

Patients were presented with gift vouchers and hampers while they were serenaded by upcoming artist Safia Mitchel who performed Whitney Houston’s song, “Hero.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

Sharon Rowley, patron of the Caribbean Association of Oncology and Haematology (CAOH), today urged cancer patients to reach out to people around them to make them aware of the disease, the need and importance for screening.

Addressing patients and staff members at the Breast Clinic at the National Radiotherapy Centre, St James, Rowley, wife of the Prime Minister, told patients to never underestimate the importance of hope.

She said there can be a change in treatment, a new drug, a new procedure; something may happen at any time to improve a patient's prognosis.

“I am wearing pink to show my support for breast cancer awareness," she said, "but we have to go beyond the colours. Our wearing of coloured ribbons signifies the need for screening and education. It signifies the need for research and support.

“I ask you, when you feel better, to reach out to persons around you. You are the best messengers, and I ask you to spread the message and hopefully, when you do, in the not-too-distant future, that one-in-eight chance of getting the disease will be reduced to zero.”