Fiji's Cancer Society says the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the supply of medicine for local cancer patients.
A billboard raising cancer awareness in the CBD of Fiji's capital, Suva. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
According to the World Health Organisation's 2017 world health ranking, Fiji is eighth in the world for breast cancer deaths and 28th for cervical cancer.
The society said it had received reports from cancer patients who indicated they were unable to get their medication because of the lack of flights to the country due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Speaking at a recent Pinktober event in Nadi, the society's Margie Erbsleben said while the medicine was slow in coming into Fiji, the freight charges incurred had also increased.
Erbsleben said not only cancer patients were being impacted, with those in health centres and hospitals also feeling the effects.
She said while the care for cancer patients across the country had been impacted by the global pandemic, the society was pleased with the ongoing support from local businesses.
More women dying: FWRM
According to the Health Ministry, from January 2019 to August 2020, there were 187 breast cancer cases recorded in Fiji.
The country's Women's Rights Movement (FWRM) said more young women in Fiji were suffering from reproductive cancer.
Its director, Nalini Singh, said research conducted by the FWRM had revealed the common types of cancer affecting Fijian women included cervical, breast, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
The survey Breaking the Barriers: Understanding Cancer Services, Screening Treatment Available for Women in Fiji showed there was unequal cancer services available in the country.
Nalini Singh is Director of the Fiji Women's Rights Movement. Photo: Supplied/FWRM
According to the survey, 50 percent of women in the country would not seek medical help they need.
It said compared to other countries, Fiji had higher rates of cancer and based on their research, iTaukei women were more likely to have cancer.
"More women are dying young with reproductive cancer. For some it's the basic fear of the outcome of cancer and being unsure of where to seek help," she said.
"Most women diagnosed with reproductive cancers are generally between the ages of 30 and 50 category.
"The iTaukei women have the worst health-seeking behaviour than others and are not enthusiastic about seeking services, care and treatment and have higher chances of dying than Fijian women of Indian descent."
Singh said their research also showed the capital Suva had a higher level of services provided compared to other areas.
She said cancer did not discriminate because women from the interior parts of Fiji and maritime areas could suffer from cancer too, and it was a concern that these women could not be able to access services.
"Women across the country, especially in rural remote areas such as maritime areas, need to also be able to seek timely services," she said.
"The second is the accessibility of cancer services itself, this month is dedicated to cancer yet there is not much awareness.
"There is still lack of awareness on cancer and very rarely will women visit a health facility and demand a HPV (human papillomavirus) test or other preferred screening method."
Singh said the report found 329 cases of breast cancer and 278 cases of cervical cancer had been reported.