FOR most Solomon Islander women cervical cancer is a death sentence, but one south-west nurse has joined the fight to turn the statistics around.
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Timboon and District Healthcare Service women’s health nurse Amanda Nash spent an eye-opening four weeks in the Solomons working with the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation to lift the standard of women’s health.
Ms Nash said health in the small island nation was “pretty poor to say the least” and early detection of cancers was almost unheard of.
“As far as cancers go, most people are not diagnosed until it’s too late,” she said.
“Most cancers are palliative cancers because of this.”
Ms Nash joined the cervical cancer foundation’s Margaret Atkin to instigate and raise awareness for a cervical cancer and Gardasil vaccination program, scheduled to start in March and September.
The vaccinations will be for all girls aged nine to 12 years old in Honiara and the island of Isabel. “If it’s successful then it will be taken to the other eight provinces and carried out on an annual basis,” Ms Nash said.
Cervical cancer is the deadliest cancer for women in developing countries and Ms Nash said the lack of regular testing made early detection impossible.
“Pap tests are something we take for granted,”she said.
The Port Campbell resident worked alongside nurses, visited schools and participated in health workshops speaking on women’s health issues.
The volunteer mission also provided a startling comparison between Australia’s immunisation program and those of nations like the Solomons.
“We have an exceptional immunisation program in Australia that is ever expanding; in developing countries this is not the case,” Ms Nash said.
“The immunisation program offered is limited and fraught with difficulties; lack of transport, geographic isolation, literacy issues, lack of education and finance.”
Despite the challenges of the trip, Ms Nash is keen to continue the volunteer work and hopes to share her experiences with south-west schools and community groups.