"World Cancer Day is a chance to raise our collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and dismissing misconceptions about the disease"
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams in observance of World Cancer Day stressed the creating of awareness about the disease, a healthy lifestyle and early treatments in combatting Cancer on St. Maarten.
"I always mention when the subject of cancer arises that my mother, who is ninety-three years old, is a breast cancer survivor. You may ask why I always mention this along with her age? it is because she is a survivor for approximately fifty years and the treatment she has received is also that old. If back then the treatment was successful how much more advanced are we today in terms of treatment. I have also lost my Husband approximately Eight years ago to cancer; after diagnosis it only took a couple of weeks before we lost him. Similarly someone who I consider one of my daughters was diagnosed with cancer some time ago and because of the proper treatment she is fighting it and fighting it well. So it is important that we realize that we are all affected by this disease and that we should extend the care which is provided to not only those going through their fight against cancer but to their friends and family as well," continued the PM.
"As a small country we have limited resources and we need to set priorities with regards to providing the adequate treatment and care for the people of St. marten. I hope that we can get the support to develop a wider national program to continue to fight against this disease that has affected so many lives within our community. World Cancer Day, as the program clearly outlines in its manifesto, is a chance to raise our collective voices in the name of improving general knowledge around cancer and dismissing misconceptions about the disease. It is equally important that we stress a healthy lifestyle including exercise and diet, early detection and adequate care to combat this disease that has effected us all," emphasized Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.