To eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, the Government of Guyana is considering all options to ensure this target is met.

Following the launch of the national strategy last week, subject Minister Dr Frank Anthony said efforts are underway to acquire brachytherapy, a radiation treatment that is given directly onto the body to destroy cancer cells.

It is among the newest local treatment options after a diagnosis.

At this time, the Health Ministry is focused on providing screening for women and in cases where cancer cells are detected, 90 per cent of them must get access to treatment.

The ministry will ramp up its treatment options with assistance from international partners such as Mount Sinai.

“We want to ensure that 90 per cent of them at least would have access to treatment and treatment comes in different forms.

“In some cases, we will be doing surgeries and in other cases, they will require brachytherapy. Right now we don’t have brachytherapy available in the country but this is one of the commitments that we have made as a government to ensure that we can provide brachytherapy,” the Health Minister said.