Cervical Cancer Prevention Campaign opens at Juliet Soberanis Cancer Clinic

Belize City - 07 August, 2007

A Cervical Cancer Campaign opened yesterday morning at the Juliet Soberanis Cancer Clinic in Belize City . From August 6 - 9, 2007, women of Belize can participate in what is being called: "Pap smear is Prevention."

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with a team from Drew University, USA and the Belize Cancer Society, Pan American Health Organization, and Belize Family Life Association will be conducting the campaign on Cervical Cancer prevention including the study of HPV prevalence among young women 20-55 years-old in Belize City. The expected outcome of this campaign is the increase in Pap Smear coverage, the identification and treatment of patients with precancerous and early stages of cervical cancer and the referral for special care.

Speaking at yesterday's opening ceremony were Belize Council General to Los Angeles , California Hon. Roy Young, who urged women not to loose this opportunity. Young urged women to "use the service that we have brought for you."

Delivering the keynote address was the Minister of Health Hon. Jose Coye, who told the gathering of medical experts that: "Health is important to the development of a country and to the reduction of poverty." Minister Coye went on to say that "we need to look at health for all of our people as a commitment".

Hon. Coye went on to stress on what he calls, a culture of prevention. "A culture of prevention is needed in both the developing and the developed world."

Also taking part in this morning's programme were Dr. Alba Mendez Sosa, President of Belize Cancer Society; Dr. Theresa Loya of Drew University Medicine and Science, who traveled to Belize with a contingent of medical experts and Dr. Pat Alexander from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.