KINGSTON, Jamaica – Dr. Carol Hamilton, Assistant Medical Officer of Health for St. Elizabeth parish, has reinforced the critical importance of early cancer detection during a World Cancer Day observance at the Southfield Health Centre on February 4. Emphasizing that timely screening significantly increases survival rates, Dr. Hamilton urged citizens to utilize Jamaica’s public health resources for preventive care.
The event, held under this year’s global theme “United by Unique,” provided attendees with comprehensive education on cancer prevention, varieties of cancers, and screening protocols. Participants received free health services such as pap smears, mammogram referrals, dental check-ups, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, digital rectal examinations, and blood pressure and glucose screenings.
Presentations covered prostate, breast, cervical, and oral cancers, as well as the roles of nutrition and physical activity in cancer risk reduction. Dr. Hamilton highlighted that cervical cancer remains the second most fatal cancer among Jamaican women, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). She strongly advocated for HPV vaccination, available free of charge to boys aged 9–14 and girls aged 9–26 within the public health system.
Dr. Hamilton underscored that screenings should begin before symptoms emerge to maximize treatment efficacy and improve health outcomes. The event served as both an educational platform and a practical health service opportunity, aligning with worldwide efforts to reduce cancer mortality through awareness and proactive healthcare.