Black Immigrant Daily News

While breast cancer is most often found in women, local health officials are warning that men are also susceptible to the disease.

Health officials say even though the illness is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women, where it has alarmingly worsened from 56.8 to 66.9 per 100,000 women over the years, men, too, need to be cognizant of early warning signs.

“The tendency is to focus on women, but men too are at risk of getting breast cancer,” explained General Surgeon, Dr. Shakera Guyah, who is stationed at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital.

Dr. Guyah, who was one of the main speakers at a recent Sandals Foundation-sponsored breast cancer awareness forum, held at the Shiloh Apostolic Church, in Stewart Town, St. Mary, said men should also be on the alert as it relates to early detection, as the warning signs are similar to those of women.

She said it is natural that some men will feel immune, falsely believing that it is merely a female problem, ignoring the signs until it is, unfortunately, too late for anything meaningful to be done.

“It is important that if you feel any abnormalities as a man, it is not to be ignored. Go immediately to seek that medical attention to make sure it’s not something significant like breast cancer. It could at first feel like a lump and the gradual progression is similar to females,” Dr Guyah pointed out.

“God forbid if the signs are real and are being ignored. What would happen is that it [cancer] would just get larger and then it starts spreading beyond the breasts to other areas of the body. There is really no substitute for early detection, which is the best remedy we know for saving lives,” he said.

About one out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man. But, while in countries like Jamaica, where it is believed that one out of every 1,000 men is at risk, Dr. Guyah believes the number could be deceptively higher.

Cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. The early signs are a lump or swelling in the breast, redness or flaky skin in the breast, nipple discharge, pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

For her part, the Senior Medical Officer at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, Dr. Tanya Hamilton, believes that one of the major problems is that breast cancer in men is often diagnosed later than breast cancer in women, adding that this may be because men are less likely to be suspicious of something strange in their breast area.

She said studies have shown that men tend to delay going to the doctor until they have more severe symptoms, where at that point cancer may have spread.

Dr. Hamilton said the same techniques that are used to diagnose breast cancer in women are used in men, such as physical examinations, mammography, and biopsies.

“Treatments for men and women are generally the same. Many men benefit from a combination of treatments, such as surgery. However, the typical treatment for men is a mastectomy, in which the entire breast is removed,” she noted.

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A truck had to be abandoned on Tantrill Road, Pasea South, Tunapuna after it stalled in floodwaters on Monday. – Photo by Roger Jacob

RESIDENTS of Real Spring Valsayn and Madras Road pointed their anger and frustration at those in authority for constant flooding and the fear of it on Monday after the area was flooded after rains caused by a weather system over the weekend.

That weather system has since gone on to become Tropical Storm Lisa and is expected to become a category 1 hurricane over the northwestern Caribbean in the coming days.

On Monday, Newsday visited St Helena, Madras Road, Tantrill Road and Valsayn after reports of flooding in the areas. Newsday saw officials of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) at Real Spring and Tantrill, taking pictures and video of the affected areas. This stirred the ire residents of Real Spring who said they were tired of photos and videos and wanted action.

Some residents of Real Spring, a Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing scheme, opted not to speak officially saying it was hard for them to explain their frustration without the use of obscene language and they did not want to be censored.

One man, Sheldon Jardine became the voice of the residents, particularly Rincon Circular (South). Jardine, who has been living in the area for the past three years, said the flooding is getting worse.

“This is actually not the first time that it is flooding in this community. If I’m not mistaken, this happened in 2018. It happened in 2021. And it happened twice this year. So clearly, it’s getting worse.”

Earlier this year, HDC dug two retention ponds in the community and installed a floodgate. After another flooding on October 7 some residents closest to one of the tributaries leading to the Caroni River got sand bags, which did little to stop water from coming into their yards

Officials of HDC visited the area and were overheard complaining that the sandbags placed behind the houses were not effective. One of the residents who wanted to curse was also overheard telling a neighbour that all the sandbags did was prevent sticks from coming into his yard.

With no expertise in civil engineering, Jardine said more than one floodgate was needed as the one in existence did not work properly. He added that retention walls were also needed.

“What they did so far is not working and it is very uncomfortable for the residents of Real Spring that, every time it rains, you have to wonder if water is going to come in your house.” Jardine said he had to call his manager and tell them he was staying home because of rising flood waters.

At Madras Road, Supersad Ramkelawan said he had been living in the area for 56 years and while the worst flooding he saw was in 2018 when Greenvale was submerged, the repeated flooding was becoming unbearable.

As he spoke to Newsday, a female relative came out and expressed frustration that no government official was seen but, had it been election time, politicians would have found their homes with ease.

Like Jardine, Ramkelawan said, on Friday, there was floodwater on the main road and in his yard, almost entering his home and temple. The water level dropped a bit but on Monday rose again. With darkened skies, both men were fearful that their homes would be flooded.

Supersad Ramkelawan speaks to Newsday from his flooded yard at Madras Road, St Helena, on Monday. – Photo by Angelo Marcelle

“For fifty years they (government officials) ain’t do nothing on this road. I living here 56 years now and you see the last set of houses there? That was the waterbed. That little bridge down there (which was impassable when Newsday arrived after 4 pm), that can’t hold the amount of water.

“They have to do something like open that bridge and make it like they did the Caroni bridge and make it higher. But these engineers that they have here, they don’t know anything, I don’t think they know anything.”

Ramkelawan said flooding in his community was now guaranteed, the only uncertainty was the height of the water. He said another concern was that people were filling rivers after they widened because “people want more property.”

On Monday evening the MET office discontinued the riverine flood alert, reducing it to green level.

The Met office said water levels in the major watercourses continue to fall and no longer pose a threat to surrounding communities.

“Expected rainfall over the next 24 hours should not overwhelm these watercourses to cause over-spilling of their banks. Though some affected areas are still flooded, gradual run-off is anticipated. The next high tide is at 8.36 pm (on Monday) and low tide is at 3.40 am (on Tuesday).”

ODPM officials said they split into two teams visiting areas in South Valsayn where water reached as high as four feet in some places. At Tantrill Road, one driver was forced to abandon his truck after it was stuck in the flood waters.

At Madras Road, motorists on their way home said it was one of three ways to get to Chin Chin. After hearing that the other road through El Carmen was also flooded , they became upset. The other way home was through Warrenville, residents said.

Along Madras Road, those who attempted to drive through the flood waters turned around. One resident said the water levels rose and his good deed of dropping people in and out of their homes with his pick-up was stopped. A tractor was seen transporting people but was not as reliable Newsday was told.

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Celebration and gratitude were the main themes on Monday, October 24, when the National Community Foundation (NCF) hosted a thanksgiving service to mark the organization’s 20th anniversary.

Persons who rendered tributes at the thanksgiving service held that morning at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Castries, sought to reminisce on the generosity of the many thousands of donors and other supporters who have contributed the NCF’s successes over the past twenty years.

Former NCF Chairperson, Martin Weekes, recalled the sacrifices and contributions made by the various NCF chairpersons, directors and committee members over the years.

“They, in the greater part of their hard work and dedicated service, were the ones who decided it was their duty to contribute to the leadership and management of this noble organization,” Weekes said. “Not only because of the intended beneficiaries, but because of the contribution it made to nation-building.”

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He added: “During their stints, they provided for the NCF major assistance in things like the organizational policy direction, strategic development, and the implementation and general support to the Foundation, as they worked in step with the Executive Directors and the staff. Each one of these Executive Directors graced the NCF with their own peculiar skills, talents and styles, and each certainly left their individual footprints on the organization.”

Long-time committee member and NCF honoree, Agatha Jn. Panel, also spoke at the thanksgiving service. She recalled the NCF first awarding 13 scholarships in 2003. By 2004, that number shot up to 76. Since 2004, the NCF has consistently awarded scholarships and bursaries to Saint Lucian students, except for 2009. In 2022, the NCF awarded 20 scholarships and 12 bursaries.

“It may interest you to know that our children (who receive scholarships and bursaries) come from every part of Saint Lucia, every school,” Jn. Panel, who has served the NCF for 19 years, said. “Once they perform and we see the need, these children are awarded scholarships. Students who have benefitted from the NCF scholarships have gone on and excelled in various professions. They have become doctors, policemen and policewomen, teachers, civil service workers, bankers, firefighters, entrepreneurs, tradesmen, architects and medical technicians. Right now, we have 9 students attending university.”

Those in attendance and viewing via live stream were edified with the knowledge that the establishment of the NCF was the brainchild of Hon. Emma Hippolyte, when she served as the Director of the National Insurance Corporation.

She subsequently served as the NCF’s first Chairperson and at the church service, she remarked that the initial vision of the NCF remains relevant today as the COVID-19 pandemic and other critical factors have resulted in many more people needing assistance.

“It seems like just yesterday when we embarked on transforming the NIC (National Insurance Corporation) with the main objective of bringing the NIC closer to the people and making it more relevant to the people of Saint Lucia,” Hon. Hippolyte said. “This transformation resulted in the establishment of the NCF, a philanthropic organization, where all Saint Lucians, no matter how small, make their contribution.”

Established by Parliament Act No. 26 of 2002, on October 24, 2002, the spirit of giving generously has been the central theme espoused at the National Community Foundation (NCF). With most of its programmes sponsored by volunteers and donations from individuals and organizations, the NCF can be best described as the “National Koudmen”.

Most people know about the NCF through its annual telethon, the NCF’s flagship event hosted to raise funds to be used in the administration of its programmes, all aimed at providing assistance that brings relief to vulnerable people in Saint Lucia.

Beneficiaries receive support in focus areas such as youth-at-risk, elderly persons, education of disadvantaged children (scholarship programme), healthcare for disadvantaged persons, assistance for homeless/disadvantaged persons, persons with disabilities, and the school and community chess programmes.

One of the misconceptions about the NCF is that many people believe that the monies raised during the telethon are the NCF’s total budget. However, the telethon is basically a supplementary drop of resources in the NCF’s coffers to meet growing requests from the community.

For instance, the NCF also receives many requests for medical assistance, especially from cancer patients, many of whom have to seek treatment overseas. Another example is that the NCF’s annual education budget alone amounts to over $300,000.00 with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) contributing most of that amount via a standard agreement.

Meanwhile, Michelle Phillips, Executive Director of the NCF, expressed thanks to Saint Lucians, companies and other organizations, especially those in the Diaspora, who have supported the NCF’s work over the years through their generous contributions.

“Without our corporate sponsors, we would be struggling because we get a subvention from NIC only and we do not get a subvention from the Government” Phillips said. “Consequently, we depend on the corporate sponsors and society to donate to us therefore we cannot overlook them as we say Thank You to everyone.”

Former Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy, who was also in attendance at the Thanksgiving Service, came in for high praise for her sterling support as Patron of the NCF throughout the years. Special thanks were also expressed to NCF staffers who work tirelessly to ensure the NCF’s programmes are carried out efficiently.

Over the coming years, the NCF hopes to continue being the light and champion for those who depend on the organization in times of need. However, the NCF needs your assistance in that drive. You can donate to the NCF in the following ways:

A one-time contribution
A salary deduction
A bequest through a will
An in-kind contribution
Pledging at the National Telethon
Monthly/fortnightly contributions at the NCF office on High Street, Castries
Direct deposit to BOSL account #10411121

Over the coming months, the NCF hopes to host other activities to continue to celebrate this milestone while simultaneously raising the much-needed funds to continue its mandate.

SOURCE: National Community Foundation. Headline photo:  Michelle Phillips, NCF Executive Director, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Patron of the NCF, and Hon. Emma Hippolyte, following the thanksgiving service.

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ORANJESTAD (AAN): Entrante 1 di November Arno Verhoeven ta bay encabesa Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA).

DCNA ta un asociacion regional di organizacion di maneho di area proteha na e seis islanan di Caribe Hulandes (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius y St. Maarten) cu e mision di salvaguarda naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes.

    Director Ehecutivo nobo di DCNA, Sr. Verhoeven, ta un empresario serial y conservacionista cu ta biba na Bonaire. Su amor pa Bonairo a surgi tempo cu su mayornan a muda pa e isla casi 30 aña pasa. Desde e tempo ey e isla, cu su naturalesa, cultura y hende a bira parti di su bida. A lo largo di e añanan e por a mira bon cla e cambionan rapido di Bonaire tambe.

   Experiencia y experticio: Sr. Verhoeven a crece na Hulanda. Despues di a gradua cu un bachelor den marketing el a traha na Turkia prome, djey el a join e agencia di publicidad di su mayornan como account manager. Pocodespues di eseyel a tuma encargo di e negoshi di famia na edad di 26 aña. Durante e siguiente 20 añanan, el a amplia e agencia pa converti su mes den un di e principal agencianan b-to-b na Hulanda.

   Na 1995 el a drenta servicio na un di e prome proveedonan di servicio di Internet Hulandes, cu a convirti den un gran agencia multimedia. Na aña 2014 el a uni na un empresa di big data internacional cu tabata specialisa su mes den herment di monitoreo di rednan social. El a yuda gobierno di Bonaire y Curaçao desaroya e prome algoritmo cu por a reconoce e idiomanan Papiamento y Papiamentu.

   Protehando e palonan di mangel di Bonaire: Na aña 2018, e y su esposa y dos yiu muhenan finalmente a muda di Eindhoven pa Bonaire, na unda su mama tabata biba ainda. Su preocupacion pa naturalesa a haci cu el a uni su mes na trabao di restauracion di palo di mangel na Lac, y a bira un di su principal conservacionistanan.

   Desde aña 2021 e ta miembro fundado di e hunta di directiva di Fundacion Mangrove Maniacs. E grupo aki, cu ta consisti di principalmente voluntario, ta traha duro pa preserva y restaura e palonan di mangel di Bonaire y ta traha hunto cu otro ngo di e region pa comparti conocemento y habilidad.

   Salvaguardiando naturalesa den Caribe Hulandes: Den su encargo nobo como Director Ehecutivo di DCNA, Sr. Verhoeven tin como obhetivo fortalece e organizacionnan, mehora e servicionan y yuda  e islanan pa ta mas consciente di preservacion di nos naturalesa.

   Cu apoyo di e autoridadnan di administracion di parke insular, miembro di e hunta directiva di DCNA y secretariat, Sr. Verhoeven a lidera e esfuersonan pa construi vinculo no solamente dentro di Caribe Hulandes, sino tambe na nivel regional y nacional, desaroyando relacion di trabao solido cu Ministerio Hulandes y organizacion di conservacion di prome nivel como International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Vogelbescherming Nederland y Wereld Natuur Fonds (WWF-NL).

   “DCNA ta magnifico. En esencia, e aliansa ta trata di cooperacion. Ta trata di con por coopera y comparti cu e demas, na luga di pensa riba bo mes prome. Mi ta kere cu si bo yuda otronan prospera, bo lo prospera bo mes. Loke ta haci mi orguyoso pa sirbi e ekipo aki ta e espirito colectivo, na unda e diferencianan entre e islanan ta un enrikecimento y na unda e similitudnan facilmente ta laga nos tuma consciencia di cu nos tur ta den e mesun barco.” Sr. Verhoeven a declara.

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