The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

LOCAL cancer activists are calling for a chemotherapy lab in Freeport to treat cancer patients in Grand Bahama.

Lenell Albury, of Sister Sister’s Grand Bahama branch, said it is very costly for cancer patients, especially those single mothers with children, to travel to Nassau for treatment.

In addition to expensive therapy treatments, she said that patients also have to pay for accommodations, meals, and other incidentals.

“We have met with parliamentarians about it and were promised that it (a chemotherapy lab) would be looked into, and we are advocating for one to be established here in Grand Bahama because there is a great need,” she said. Ms Albury said that Sister Sister tries to assist as many cancer patients as possible who are not in a financial position to pay for treatment in Nassau.

“We find housing and accommodations for patients and their children, and pay for meals and therapy for when they have to go to Nassau,” she said.

The Bahamas has one of the highest rates of breast cancer.

Ms Albury said that she was very shocked to learn the results of a study conducted by oncologist Dr Judith Hurley of Miami.

“She did a breast cancer survey in Nassau, Andros, Abaco and Grand Bahama a few years ago and we had the highest rating compared to the entire state of Florida. Although cancer awareness is widespread in the Bahamas, we don’t take it seriously,” she said.

Lauren Miller, of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas Grand Bahama branch, said they encourage early detection in women by holding free breast cancer screening in November.

Ms Miller noted that they are also in the process of creating a register of demographics – location, age, gender - of cancer cases in Grand Bahama.

“We want to know the types of cancers that are prevalent in Grand Bahama for the last 10 years,” she said.

Linda Hepburn Malcolm, organiser of Pinktober, said the rates of cancer have been lowered for young women.

“We don’t know what the contributing factors are, some say it is environmental and genetics. I think this needs to be addressed and we need to place a lot of research on breast cancer in the Bahamas,” she said.

Ms Malcolm said that another issue in Grand Bahama is the cost of treatment.

“I am a two-time recurring survivor and even though we had insurance it was quite expensive. Chemotherapy is not being offered here in Grand Bahama and patients would have to fly into Nassau for treatment. That is a pretty expensive undertaking because we have to stay over for two days, pay for transportation and accommodation,” she said.

Ms Malcolm said a number of activities and fundraising events have been planned for Pinktober. She hopes to raise $250,000 for the local cancer organisations, and to establish a foundation to assist cancer patients.

On October 11, there will be a cancer pledge-a-thon in the Bahamas; on October 12, a Pink Beat Cancer Retreat at Independence Park; on October 24, there will be a Stiletto Strut Walk event, beginning at the Royal Oasis and a VIPink party; on October 30, Pinktober will culminate with Pink Parade (Halloween) Fest with live music and entertainment.