…health minister urges early testing as 400 of nearly 600 biopsies return positive
(Kaieteur News) – Prostate cancer has emerged as the leading cancer diagnosed among Guyanese men, with Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, warning that too many men are waiting until the disease is advanced before seeking medical attention.
Anthony made the disclosure earlier this week at a symposium for pharmacists, where he urged men to take cancer screening seriously and seek testing early. “Of all the cancers diagnosed, prostate cancer accounts for 31 percent of those cases,” the Minister said, noting that breast cancer had previously ranked higher overall, while prostate cancer has now moved into first place among men.
He attributed the high number of late diagnoses in part to men failing to seek medical attention early. “You don’t come, and when you come it’s too late,” Anthony said.
Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony
The minister said the situation can be changed through greater public awareness and early detection. He disclosed that from January to September this year, at least 704 people have been diagnosed with cancer, which he said also reflects improvements in the country’s ability to detect the disease.
At a forum earlier this year, Anthony revealed that nearly 600 prostate biopsies had been conducted over the preceding year, with approximately 400 returning positive results. He stressed that early diagnosis can significantly improve the prospects for treatment.
“So those men were able to come into care earlier. So, it’s going to make a difference, because right now, prostate cancer is the number one cancer among men in Guyana. So, if we catch it early, we’ll be able to treat people and prevent them from dying from prostate cancer and that’s the objective of the ministry,” he said.
Anthony also called for a stronger national cancer-awareness campaign during October, including efforts to increase uptake of the HPV vaccine. “You have a large network that spans the entire country. Can we get more people to go and get the HPV vaccine?” he asked pharmacists.
His comments came as the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders launched PinkTOBER 2026, a month-long campaign aimed at raising awareness of breast, prostate and other cancers, while encouraging early screening and detection. Anthony has called for the campaign to be used to promote greater public awareness and encourage people to prioritise their health before symptoms become severe.
Organisers said PinkTOBER will also highlight the support and care available to cancer patients and their families, while providing opportunities for survivors and patients to share their experiences of treatment, resilience and hope. The campaign will also feature fundraising initiatives to support the broader fight against cancer. Organisers stressed that the initiative is not intended to end with October, but forms part of a wider effort to strengthen public knowledge, promote screening and encourage sustained action against cancer.
Source: Kaieteur News
