BY JOY OFASIA
Breast cancer remains the leading cancer affecting women in the Solomon Islands with 128 cases recorded in 2024, according to figures presented by Dr Andrew Soma. Dr Andrew Soma Head of NRH Oncology Unit highlighted this in his presentation at the Cancer Survivors Breakfast at the Heritage Park Hotel this morning.
participants attending the breakfast event
Speaking at the PinkTober Survivors Breakfast, Dr Soma said the growing burden of cancer in the country and called for increased awareness, early detection and timely treatment to improve outcomes for women affected by the disease. “Breast cancer is still the highest in the Solomon Islands,” he said.
Dr Soma said cancer cases had continued to increase over the years, citing data collected by the National Referral Hospital and other major centers. However, he noted that the available figures might not reflect the full picture, particularly in rural communities where access to health services remains a challenge. He said more than 70 per cent of the country’s population lives in rural areas, making it important to expand cancer awareness and screening services beyond Honiara. “All this data, came just from National Referral Hospital, and maybe from other main centers. Not in the rural areas, and we know that 70 plus percent of our population lives in the rural area,” he said.
Dr Andrew Soma Head of NRH Oncology delivering his presentation at the breakfast event
Dr Soma also raised concern about late presentation, revealing that the cancer unit was treating more patients requiring palliative care than those receiving treatment intended to cure the disease. He explained that palliative treatment focuses on relieving pain and improving the comfort of patients whose cancer has advanced, while curative treatment aims to eliminate the disease.
He urged women to seek medical advice early whenever they notice changes in their breasts, stressing that early diagnosis can significantly improve their chances of recovery. “The earlier you come, the better your chance to get cured,” Dr Soma said. He also encouraged women to learn how to examine their breasts and seek information about available screening services, including mammograms.
Dr Soma said breast screening services were available through the hospital’s radiology department and encouraged women to make enquiries about accessing them. Dr Soma called for stronger public education, improved access to screening and better cancer services to help ensure that more patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment.
