World Cancer Walk was set up to remind us that cancer has no borders - it affects people of every country, culture, and background. Cancer does not sleep, and neither can our commitment to fighting it. The walk unites communities around the world in solidarity, raising awareness, honouring those affected, and showing that together we can support research, prevention, and hope for a future beyond cancer.  

—————

Breast and cervical cancer are two of the three most common cancers affecting women in Papua New Guinea, breast cancer being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and cervical cancer ranking third in both incidence and mortality.

These cancers are largely preventable and treatable diseases – yet without early detection and accessible care, too many women continue to die.

We aim to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and reduce the mortality rates of both cervical and breast cancer by providing education, HPV vaccines, breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening and treatments.

We are currently starting to deliver a breast and cervical cancer education and awareness programme. Our nurses are travelling to remote areas throughout Morobe Province to educate the communities on the signs and symptoms of cervical and breast cancer, when to seek medical attention and the benefits of screening, treatment and HPV vaccines. Through greater education and awareness it is likely that the uptake will be significantly greater for the second part of the programme – cervical cancer screening and treatments, breast cancer screening and HPV vaccines, which we will be starting shortly.