‘There is a cancer epidemic in the VI’– Gloria A. Fahie
The cancer survivor did not present any figures to support her claim but said she continues to be informed of cancer cases and deaths in the VI.
“I cry every day from the bottom of my heart for persons. When I go see persons and they are so small and frail, it pains me. So I hope that we all could come together, band together for a cause,” said Ms Fahie as she lamented the prevalence of the chronic disease in the Virgin Islands (VI).
October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month but, according to the BVI Cancer Society’s theme for this year, ‘Banding together for Cancer’, the society is not only advocating for breast cancer but all forms of cancers.
Cancer epidemic in the VI?
The BVI Cancer Society for this year has seen an overwhelming number of applications for assistance for persons living with and affected by cancer, according to Ms Fahie. “I said Lord Jesus, what is going on here? This is like an epidemic.”
Ms Fahie said she has every conviction that there is a cancer epidemic in the VI. “I really believe we have an epidemic here in the BVI and it’s under the bushel. Everyday someone is calling on me to say someone has just been diagnosed.”
At the time of speaking on this topic with this news site, Ms Fahie received a call informing her of someone who had just died of cancer. She was not at liberty at the time to say who the person was but broke down in empathy thus strengthening her call for a nationwide support for the BVI Cancer Society to assist persons before it is too late.
Ms Fahie said it is important that persons be very friendly with their doctors and ask many questions. She said also that persons need to pay keen attention to their bodies and observe and investigate every little thing that looks out of the norm on their bodies.
According to cancer.org, more than 36 million people worldwide die of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) every year, with nearly 8 million of them dying from cancer.
Many of these deaths, it said, can be avoided with increased governmental support and funding for prevention, detection and treatment programmes.
“Urgent action is needed to raise awareness about cancer, dispel myths and misconceptions and develop practical strategies to address the disease,” the website stated.
Church collection for cancer
Meanwhile, Ms Fahie said this year the BVI Cancer Society is also focusing on bringing the churches into the fold as letters for donations have and continue to be sent out to them. “Because I think they say it takes a village to raise a child. I think we should be living that village story, we are not! I have sent letters to all of them and I would hope that they would choose a day in October for their congregation to collect monies for the [BVI] Cancer Society,” said Ms Fahie.
She further stated that in her view the church should be a hospital for the sick. “We say a lot of things but when it comes to the doing, we don’t do it.”
Ms Fahie was, however, very high in praises to the churches in East End and Long Look which she said have been steadfast in their support drives.
“They donated generously to the BVI Cancer Society last year but I am trying to get everybody on board this year, Rotary and everybody.
“I know that we are in a bad economic time, I see it, I hear it, I feel it what’s going on. But I believe the cause for cancer is one agenda and people need to come out and support, you never know when it’s going to be your turn,” Ms Fahie further stressed.
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19 Responses to “‘There is a cancer epidemic in the VI’– Gloria A. Fahie”
A bit of everything is in the equation - pollution all over. Everything that we eat and drink, especially if it comes from overseas, then its subject to suspicion. We even saw the very drinking water being recalled the other day. For those of us who might not eat pork, we can consider that the poultry is stuffed with hormones as well as any other meat. Only God knows what they do to the meats. What is spam, hot dogs, Vienna sausage, corned beef and all of those processed from? We do not have a clue. Many of us consume fruits and vegetables, which, in their natural state should be good for us. However, the imported produce is laced with so much crap including pesticides and other chemicals in the very soil. How much can we wash off with vinegar?
I can go on and on but yes, the rate of people with cancer is high based on our population. Without doing a full survey, just check in your own circle. Its like a plague in many homes and affecting young, middle age and seniors. May God help us as this is the only hope we have.
It behooves all of us to start cooking in our own kitchens - that way you know the cleanliness of your cooking and preparation environment. A little planting will do each of us good too. If you're renting an apartment and don't have the yard space, take a flower pot and plant some peppers, tomatoes, simple stuff. At least its a start because when you reap one of your own vegetables or fruits, you get motivated to plant some more.
I am just asking a question here so we can begin to think together as a community.
Building materials Cold cuts.Hot dogs,bacon. Incinerator emission. Stress resulting in a weakened immune system.
Prescriptive medications
The further we shy away from nature,the sooner we hold hands with the Grim Reaper.
The best chance we have in such small communities is to try and share our thoughts in whatever way we can.
Our diet plays a big part... And for some who like chicken... haha.. be careful.. just look at it in this way.. In just three to four weeks, one could eat a full grown chicken. Some thing is wrong right there.... I WOULD'T EVEN GO FURTHER WITH ALL THE OTHER IMPORTED MEAT. And the portion is unimaginable...
Changes in lifestyle is hard.. But my friends we all need to start some where.. little by little .
Do your very best and try to save your lives.... Put more fish on your dinner table... and we do have some local farmers ...
And all these bottle water...Hmmmm. Whatever happen to people cisterns today... I boil my cistern water, eat my local veges and fish.... I don't even get the cold or flu .... and I TAKE NO MEDS PEROID. Well this is just me... I know that every one is different and what work for one .... might not work for another.. There is a lot of natural stuff that one could used today... I would like to share one of them, bitter melon or karrila.. get some from the local framers... Wash and make a strait cut in the middle take out the seeds ... then slice It up and store in a open mouth jar .. add white vinegar and salt to taste... leave it to preserve for a week or two. Eat a slice every day... it's very bitter... but the benefit is worth it..
An epidemic (from Greek ἐπί epi "upon or above" and δῆμος demos "people") is the rapid spread of infectious disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time, usually two weeks or less.
I believe what this story is alluding to is the rising "incidence" or the "prevalence" of malignancies in our population. This of course could be due to many reasons. Some of which include the ability over time to screen and detect such diseases, lifestyle habits, diet, etc.
Persons need to be more vigilant when it comes to their health and have regular check ups at doctors offices. Cancers are curable once detected early, most of which are asymptomatic in the early stages and become symptomatic often when it has spread and affected other organs. There are cancers that are common to the western population and everybody should be aware of them and get screened at the appropriate times as would be indicated depending on risk factors which may vary from person to person.
Health awareness and education is key!
The reason its being kept under a bushel is because you people in that association talk too much. From the time you all know someone has cancer you all spread it to the whole world. Persons need their privacy and even if they come to you guys it should be kept confidential. Persons who volunteer their services to work with this association need to be confidential people.