Jamaica Cancer Society, Australian gov't batting for cervical cancer prevention

The relationship between the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) and the Australian High Commission moved up another innings last week as they committed yet again to bat against cervical cancer in Jamaica.

The Australian High Commission, through its Direct Aid Programme, has committed US$9,500 (approximately J$3.6 million) to provide Pap smear screening and education to 850 vulnerable women living in hard-to-reach rural communities over a four-month period, starting on June 1 through to September 28.

The Australian High Commissioner in the Caribbean, John Pilbeam, commended the JCS for its work.

JCS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE

"We've been working with the cancer society for years. Cancer is killing too many Jamaicans, and the JCS is an essential service - we've always been willing to support the JCS," said Pilbeam.

"Vulnerable women in hard-to-reach communities in Jamaica and around the Caribbean remain under the greatest threat because they miss out on screening. That's why the work the Jamaica Cancer Society is doing to screen women between the ages of 21 and 65 in hard-to-reach rural areas is so important.

"Screening for cervical cancer saves lives, it's as simple as that. It's a cancer that can be cured if it's found soon enough. It's also a cancer that you can be vaccinated against, so there's hope that before too long, cervical cancer might be the first cancer that we can eliminate by working together," added Pilbeam.

Executive Director of the JCS Yulit Gordon in her response said: "Partnerships are critical to the success of any cancer-prevention strategy, and the relationship between the Jamaica Cancer Society and the Australian High Commission is a very valuable one.

"They have enabled us to build our capacity to expand our programmes to reach more vulnerable and underserved women. We hope that this collaboration continues for many years to come."