𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒

Cancer survivor and media personality, Naomi Pareti today shared with the Women of the Fiji Corrections Service the reality of cancer in Fiji today.

She was invited by the Acting Commissioner of Corrections, Mr Sevuloni Naucukidi, to be the Chief Guest at the PinkTober Event this morning at the FCS Coffee Shop.

Mrs Pareti, a mother of seven began her journey in June last year when she discovered a lump on her breast.

“Luckily, because of the access to information I had on Cancer I made the effort straight away to have it checked, from one doctor to the next and medical hospital to the next to make sure.”

“I went through five Doctors and four medical centers before it was confirmed I had a cancerous growth in my breast.

“I already had that fear, because I always wondered what would become of my children and husband if I ever left this world. That is how mums like me and you should think.

Mrs Pareti said the often laid back attitude of itaukei men and women when it comes to their health was the main reason why cancer was one of the top killers in Fiji today.

“Many start looking for help when they had gone past Stage 3 or 4 which is too late.

“I share my story because I want to create awareness on early detection. Because cancer when it runs its full cause traumatizes families, from kids and even husbands as they watch their mums just wither away.

Mr Naucukidi, in his vote of thanks revealed why he encouraged testing for all women in his organisation including those under their care in Prisons. This will program will also include the wives and daughters of Corrections Officers.

“I talk about this subject openly because my mum succumbed to Cancer, and my wife and mother-in-law are cancer survivors.”

“So i know full well what our guest means when she talks about the trauma families go through, because it continues even after the event. So Ladies i encourage you to take care of yourselves and always go for proper checks.”

The Fiji Cancer Society senior representative Sister Karolo Tamani, an experiences nurse dealing with cancer patients for over 30-years, also did a graphic visual presentation on the dreaded disease and its various forms and stages.