There has been a noticeable increase in the number of cancer survivors. This assertion was made by General Medical Officer (GMO) attached to the Oncology Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Latoya Gooding.On Friday she said that more than 100 patients are currently being offeredYoung cancer patient Shelly Debyden (on couch) in the company of her grandmother (third from left), Ms. Carol Trim Bagot (second from right) and staffers attached to the Oncology Unit.chemotherapy at the GPHC. There are, however, more than 200 who attend clinic regularly. Some of them are awaiting treatment or have already completed prescribed treatment regimens. About six patients are between the ages of seven and 17.“The survival rate depends on the type of cancer. So far since I’m here the highest survival rate has been breast cancer…We have been seeing a lot in cervical cancer,Cheap Jerseys USA, as well as colon,NFL Cheap Jerseys,” disclosed the Cuban-trained doctor who joined the Oncology Unit in March.The Unit is currently headed by Consultant Oncologist, Dr. Justo Despaigne Delisle, of Cuba.But it was a visiting Oncologist who was able to declare at least five patients of the Unit free of cancer, recently according to Dr Gooding.? Among the survivors was even a stage four cervical cancer patient.The perceived improved survival rate of patients has been credited to support from both Government and non-governmental organisations, the likes of the Organisation of Social and Health Advancement of Guyana (OSHAG).OSHAG, a US-based organisation which is registered here,NFL Jerseys China, just last year adopted the Oncology Unit and was instrumental in providing the couches on which patients are administered chemotherapy and other items to aid the cancer care efforts of the GPHC.“They are pushing for us to have another room so that we can facilitate more patients,” said Dr. Gooding. Commenting on medication,China Jerseys, she disclosed that while drugs are available to treat patients there are occasions when there are shortages. But every effort is made to ensure that patients are continually cared for.Among the oldest patients accessing the services of the Unit are 73-year-old Cybil Pickering, a former soldier who resides at Vryheid’s Lust and 73-year-old Simon Young of Parika,Wholesale Jerseys Online, East Bank Essequibo. Both of them visited the Unit Friday to undergo chemotherapy.Also accessing chemotherapy on Friday were Ranette Dharry of East Coast Demerara and 11-year-old Shelly Debyden of Port Kaituma, Region One. Debyden was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago. The young child was accompanied by her maternal grandmother, Celestine DeFreitas.OSHAG, on Friday, presented DeFreitas with monetary support to aid for a period the costly journey of taking her granddaughter to the GPHC for treatment.All of the patients expressed gratitude for the availability of the service offered at the GPHC.According to Gooding,Cheap Jerseys, the GPHC had in the past procured its drugs perhaps from the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation. Like the other services offered at the Oncology Unit, medicines are provided to patients free of cost.And even when there are shortages she said, “We are not allowed to ask patients to buy drugs but if they can’t wait and would like to have their treatment on time they can go ahead and buy them. But what we have learnt is that some private entities tend to jack up their prices.”Oncology and Dialysis which are both offered at the GPHC constitute two of the most costly programmes at the public hospital owing to the cost of the associated treatment.While patients are afforded most cancer treatment at the GPHC, those requiring radiotherapy, however, must do so at the Cancer Institute which is privately operated. However the cost of accessing radiotherapy is subsidized by Government, Dr. Gooding added.The GMO is however optimistic that the cancer treatment services offered at the GPHC will be expanded and could even soon include CT-Scan and Mammography machines. In fact she is hopeful that the GPHC would in the near future be able to offer cancer care in a dedicated building.This sentiment was mirrored on Friday by President of OSHAG, Ms. Carol Trim-Bagot, who assured that cancer support to the public health sector will be sustained. She disclosed that the funds raised at a fundraiser dinner planned for October 31 at the Pegasus Hotel will go towards not only the upkeep of the Unit but also to support the less fortunate patients who have to travel far distances to access cancer care.