Boosting cancer awareness in Papua New Guinea

October 24, 2011

For the 15,000 Papua New Guineans affected by cancer each year, the outlook is grim.

Cancer is PNG’s fourth most common disease yet approximately three-quarters of sufferers face negative outcomes due to late diagnosis and inadequate treatment.*

While support networks for cancer patients and their families are limited, there is one organisation actively engaged in cancer care, education and improving outcomes for sufferers. 

The Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society (POMCRS) is working with the community to increase the knowledge of cancer, prevention methods, treatment and effects through workshops, outreach programs and publicity events.

The POMCRS is being assisted by Australian Volunteer Laura Davison, who is working with the not-for-profit organisation as a Strategic Development Officer for 12 months. 

Laura is an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD), one of hundreds of passionate young Australians placed on short term volunteer assignments each year in developing countries in Asia, the Pacific and Africa. The AYAD Program is part of Australian Volunteers for International Development, an Australian Government, AusAID initiative.

Laura’s role is varied; she is working to develop a strategic plan for the organisation, establish proper administrative procedures and has produced a mission statement.

“What I have been doing is looking forward – thinking about what we are going to raise money for, and what is the long term growth of the organisation,” Laura says.

“I’ve realised that there is no-one else to do this (work). If it wasn’t for the POMCRS, there would be this big gap. It’s really rewarding knowing that you are doing a lot of good.”

The former Canberra resident is also helping the POMCRS’s administration officer to develop management skills through the coordination of fundraising and awareness events.

In October, traditionally designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month, Laura and 16 other mainly Papua New Guinean women will walk the Kokoda Trail to raise awareness of the disease. Participants will be educating women in the many villages along the track by handing out purpose made breast self-examination cards.

POMCRS will also host a brunch on International Pink Ribbon Day, October 24, which will focus on healthy living and early detection as the best forms of prevention against breast and other cancers.  

Funds raised from all of POMCRS activities during Breast Cancer Awareness month will contribute to a research project aimed at assessing the current level of understanding and awareness of breast and cervical cancers in the community. The results will be used to inform a large-scale awareness campaign.

Other fundraising undertaken by POMCRS is mainly used to support Ward C, the oncology unit at Port Moresby General Hospital, by training staff, supplying chemotherapy medication and food to patients and providing medical supplies and equipment as needed.

The Australian Partner Organisation for Laura’s assignment is Cancer Council Queensland.

“I wish Laura and the Port Moresby Cancer Relief Society all the very best success while walking the Kokoda Trail to raise awareness and educate the Papua New Guinea women of this disease,” said Amanda Beardmore, Cancer Council Queensland Senior Coordinator.

For more information on Australian Volunteers for International Development visit www.ausaid.gov.au/volunteer

*Dr Garbett, Ian K., ‘A Collaborative Telepathology network Project (CTNP) for the Sustainable Capacity Building of Pathology and Cancer Services in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific’. February 2010, p.4.