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    Wale slams $1.4m to the Western Province

    Wale slams $1.4m to the Western Province

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    Hybrid Solar farm in Makira to be commissioned soon

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    Solomon Islands visit successful says Kurt Campbell

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    Chinese delegation in Honiara to assess aid projects

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    US Indo-Pacific Coordinator visits Solomon Islands

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    Government signs agreement with CCECC for land and maritime connectivity project

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    Lack of National identity, a snag to development: Businessman

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    Young woman elected to represent Rennell and Bellona tamatama*

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    BBC Media Action launches media partnership in Solomon Islands

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    Not all doom and gloom – World traveler acclaim Solomon Islands beauty

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    Iumi Tugeda Holiday packages back

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    Chalk to clothes, Randy’s laundry business

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    Solomon Islands trials Travel Authorisation

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    Assessment finds widespread damage to rootcrops on Tikopia and Anuta

    Assessment finds widespread damage to rootcrops on Tikopia and Anuta

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    Not all doom and gloom – World traveler acclaim Solomon Islands beauty

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    Earthquake rocks Honiara – damages highest building

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    No tsunami threat for Solomon Islands

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    Hybrid Solar farm in Makira to be commissioned soon

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    Amazing Grace Launches Agritourism Experience

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    Recognising Solomon Airlines Women on International Women’s Day

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    Solomon Islands women below average in boardrooms

    Malango women & girls celebrate International Rural Women’s Day

    Malango women & girls celebrate International Rural Women’s Day

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    Wale slams $1.4m to the Western Province

    Wale slams $1.4m to the Western Province

    Hybrid Solar farm in Makira to be commissioned soon

    Hybrid Solar farm in Makira to be commissioned soon

    New Electoral Commissioner for Solomon Islands

    New Electoral Commissioner for Solomon Islands

    Assessment finds widespread damage to rootcrops on Tikopia and Anuta

    Assessment finds widespread damage to rootcrops on Tikopia and Anuta

    Solomon Islands visit successful says Kurt Campbell

    Solomon Islands visit successful says Kurt Campbell

    $7m down the plughole?

    $7m down the plughole?

    Chinese delegation in Honiara to assess aid projects

    Chinese delegation in Honiara to assess aid projects

    US Indo-Pacific Coordinator visits Solomon Islands

    US Indo-Pacific Coordinator visits Solomon Islands

    Government signs agreement with CCECC for land and maritime connectivity project

    Government signs agreement with CCECC for land and maritime connectivity project

  • Feature
    $7m down the plughole?

    $7m down the plughole?

    Lack of National identity, a snag to development: Businessman

    Lack of National identity, a snag to development: Businessman

    Securing land rights in Rennell and Bellona throughcustomary land recording and development of bylaws

    Securing land rights in Rennell and Bellona through
    customary land recording and development of bylaws

    Amazing Grace Launches Agritourism Experience

    Amazing Grace Launches Agritourism Experience

    Helena Goldie Hospital opens new Biomed Laboratory

    Helena Goldie Hospital opens new Biomed Laboratory

    Young woman elected to represent Rennell and Bellona tamatama*

    Young woman elected to represent Rennell and Bellona tamatama*

    Cancer, a not so silent killer in Solomon Islands

    Cancer, a not so silent killer in Solomon Islands

    Solomon Airlines supports pediatric surgical team

    Solomon Airlines supports pediatric surgical team

    BBC Media Action launches media partnership in Solomon Islands

    BBC Media Action launches media partnership in Solomon Islands

  • Business
    Amazing Grace Launches Agritourism Experience

    Amazing Grace Launches Agritourism Experience

    Smallholders creates jobs from economic partnerships

    Smallholders creates jobs from economic partnerships

    Solomon Airlines adjusts Port Vila flights

    Solomon Airlines adjusts Port Vila flights

    Not all doom and gloom – World traveler acclaim Solomon Islands beauty

    Not all doom and gloom – World traveler acclaim Solomon Islands beauty

    Iumi Tugeda Holiday packages back

    Iumi Tugeda Holiday packages back

    Chalk to clothes, Randy’s laundry business

    Chalk to clothes, Randy’s laundry business

    Solomon Islands trials Travel Authorisation

    Solomon Islands trials Travel Authorisation

    Local business making flour from rootcrops encourage farmers to follow suit

    Local business making flour from rootcrops encourage farmers to follow suit

    Sunday fair market an opportunity for small businesses

    Sunday fair market an opportunity for small businesses

  • Environment
    Assessment finds widespread damage to rootcrops on Tikopia and Anuta

    Assessment finds widespread damage to rootcrops on Tikopia and Anuta

    Not all doom and gloom – World traveler acclaim Solomon Islands beauty

    Not all doom and gloom – World traveler acclaim Solomon Islands beauty

    Earthquake rocks Honiara – damages highest building

    Earthquake rocks Honiara – damages highest building

    No tsunami threat for Solomon Islands

    No tsunami threat for Solomon Islands

    Data collection on bio-diversity in Hageulu, Isabel province

    Data collection on bio-diversity in Hageulu, Isabel province

    Japan supports marine conservation in Tiaro Bay

    Japan supports marine conservation in Tiaro Bay

    Water rationing ends for Honiara residents

    Water rationing ends for Honiara residents

    Agro-forestry way to go for Komuniboli: Community

    Agro-forestry way to go for Komuniboli: Community

  • Climate Change
    Hybrid Solar farm in Makira to be commissioned soon

    Hybrid Solar farm in Makira to be commissioned soon

    Solomon Islands COP27 statement at high-level summit

    Solomon Islands COP27 statement at high-level summit

    Solomon Islands activist calls on government for more support for youths

    Solomon Islands activist calls on government for more support for youths

  • Sports
    Outrigger and canoe fundraiser graced by Prime Minister

    Outrigger and canoe fundraiser graced by Prime Minister

    Safe and green games campaign launched

    Safe and green games campaign launched

    Rugby competition starts today

    Rugby competition starts today

  • Regional
    World Bank supports Vanuatu in Disaster Response

    World Bank supports Vanuatu in Disaster Response

    Climate Resilience for Business Sustainability Training for the Private Sector

    Climate Resilience for Business Sustainability Training for the Private Sector

    Fiji ready to host Pacific Leaders Special Retreat

    Fiji ready to host Pacific Leaders Special Retreat

  • Opinions
    U.S. Engagement in Solomon Islands

    U.S. Engagement in Solomon Islands

    From FFA overlooking the hospital

    MHMS work to re-establish partnerships with overseas hospitals for referrals

    WHY NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS MUST BE
    INVESTIGATED. Auditor General’s Shocking Findings

    Auditor General’s Shocking Findings – Widespread Abuse of Covid-19 Funding

    Auditor General’s Shocking Findings – Widespread Abuse of Covid-19 Funding

    Reclaiming a lost decade

    Reclaiming a lost decade

    Solomon Islands Government rebukes 4 Corners

    Solomon Islands Government rebukes 4 Corners

  • Women
    Amazing Grace Launches Agritourism Experience

    Amazing Grace Launches Agritourism Experience

    Recognising Solomon Airlines Women on International Women’s Day

    Recognising Solomon Airlines Women on International Women’s Day

    Prime Minister Sogavare acknowledge women’s contributions on big day

    Prime Minister Sogavare acknowledge women’s contributions on big day

    Young woman elected to represent Rennell and Bellona tamatama*

    Young woman elected to represent Rennell and Bellona tamatama*

    Data collection on bio-diversity in Hageulu, Isabel province

    Data collection on bio-diversity in Hageulu, Isabel province

    Mission supports mothers and girls in basic business training

    Mission supports mothers and girls in basic business training

    Solomon Islands women below average in boardrooms

    Malango women & girls celebrate International Rural Women’s Day

    Malango women & girls celebrate International Rural Women’s Day

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Cancer, a not so silent killer in Solomon Islands

Georgina Kekea by Georgina Kekea
04/03/2023
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By Jeremy Gwao and Georgina Kekea

13 year old Leah, awaiting support for overseas treatment

‘Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Solomon Islands followed closely by breast cancer with oral cancer, also gaining an increase’ says Dr. Soma. 

Dr. Andrew Soma works as an Oncologist at the country’s only cancer unit at the National Referral Hospital. The Oncology Unit operates as a Day Care Centre only and tends to patients in need of chemotherapy as well as counselling. 

“We don’t have a ward so this means we only work 8 to 4 or maybe more, depending on the number of patients. 

The Oncology Unit was only established in 2018. But since 2019, the unit has seen a drastic increase in patients diagnosed with cancer. In 2019, more than 300 chemotherapy sessions were carried out by the unit. Two years later, just in 2021, the unit saw more than 700 chemotherapy sessions. This was more than half of the number seen in 2018.

Dr. Andrew Soma of the Oncology Unit shares challenges they face on a daily basis

Chorote was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. A fun, bubbly outgoing personality with more to live for, got the shock of her life when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The main role of the lymphatic system is to manage the fluid levels in the body. Chorote’s lymph nodes at the hip was diagnosed with cancer cells. 

Chorote, a cancer survivor

Chorote has since recovered from cancer, but not yet cleared out of the woods. A changed lifestyle and a more positive outlook in life is what she needs to maintain her health. While Chorote was lucky to be able to get treatment in Honiara, for three year old Xavier, it’s a different story.

Xavier was diagnosed with leukaemia in June 2022. A heartbreaking moment for his parents.  Francis Bele, Xavier’s father, did all that he could to raise funds to send Xavier overseas for medical treatment. A ‘GoFund me’ account, set up by Xavier’s uncle, Israel Sibia saw them reaching only 10 percent of their targeted goal. Additional fundraising efforts on the side and they were able to get medical treatment in the Philippines. 

Francis Bele, Xavier’s father

Now along the streets of Honiara, at the Honiara City Council Area, another fundraising drive, this time for 13 year old Leah. One More Shot, a group of photographers are taking it to the streets with photography to earn money to go towards Leah’s fundraising drive for overseas treatment. Leah was diagnosed with brain cancer towards the end of 2022. 

13 year old Leah’s parents are still struggling to get her overseas for medical treatment

One of the issues raised during Pinktober 2022, was the absence of a mammogram needed to detect breast cancer. Grace Hilly, a Zumba Instructor also raised her concerns about the hospital not having a mammogram, despite breast cancer being the second highest cancer deaths in the country. 

Grace Hilly is a Zumba instructor

In November 2022, the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority, issued a procurement notice for a mammography machine for the National Referral Hospital. 

Prior to that, in September 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) supported the Ministry of Health and Medical Services with 17 thermal ablation devices to be rolled out in Area Health Centres in Honiara, Makira and other provinces. Thermal ablation is a WHO-recommended procedure for treatment of cervical precancerous lesions – the damage or changes that may develop on a woman’s cervix that, if left untreated, could turn into cancer.

For Dr. Andrew Soma, his only strategy to counter the increase of this deadly disease is to raise awareness on the preventative measures Solomon Islanders need to take to minimise its risk. He said working in the Oncology Unit he saw first hand how bad it is for Solomon Islands with cancer.

Dr. Soma says being more aware of cancer is the only fight for Solomon Islanders against this deadly disease

Science says cancer can be prevented by making healthy choices. Healthy choices like keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and chewing of betel nut, limiting the amount of alcohol and protecting one’s skin from sun rays. Solomon Islands unfortunately also is one of the countries in the Pacific with the highest rate of non-communicable diseases.

NOTE: These interviews were first broadcasted in November 2022

Georgina Kekea

Georgina Kekea

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