Hon. Vincent Wheatley and Dr. Arlene Penn Unite to Combat Cervical Cancer

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley is set to collaborate with local cancer advocate Dr. Arliene T. Penn to raise awareness about cervical cancer in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) region.

Honourable Wheatley, who is also the Chairman of the 36th OECS/PPS Policy Board Meeting and the 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Health, announced this partnership as part of his message for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month observed in January. He expressed his commitment to act as an ambassador alongside Dr. Penn, working towards the OECS’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a pandemic in the region.

Taking a proactive stance on health issues, Minister Wheatley highlighted Dr. Penn’s role as an ambassador, explaining that she would travel throughout the region to “enlighten, encourage, inspire, and support women” in the OECS’s efforts to reduce and eliminate cervical cancer.

Minister Wheatley emphasised the importance of educating males in the regional strategy, acknowledging Dr. Penn’s passion for the subject. He stated, “We could not ask for a better ambassador. We thank her in advance for the work she will continue to do to bring awareness and support us in this process, as we will also support her.”

Further, Minister Wheatley outlined the commitment of the Acting Chief Medical Officer and the team at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital to make vaccines preventing the Human Papilloma Virus available for both males and females.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Minister Wheatley referred to statistics from the Pan American Health Organisation, revealing that cervical cancer claims lives and is the leading cause of death in over 35,000 women in the Americas. Notably, 80 percent of these cases, totalling 28,000, occur in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In urging women to prioritise annual check-ups for cervical cancer, Minister Wheatley stressed that early detection could significantly reduce the number of deaths associated with the disease. He concluded by reaffirming the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of the people in the Virgin Islands.