Give the gift that keeps on giving

EARLY DIAGNOSIS of cancer focuses on detecting symptomatic patients as early as possible so they have the best chance for successful treatment. When cancer care is delayed or inaccessible, there is a lower chance of survival, greater problems associated with treatment and higher costs of care.

Early diagnosis improves cancer outcomes by providing care at the earliest possible stage and is therefore an important public health strategy in all settings. By knowing and understanding the basics about cancer and following the recommended guidelines for screening, men and women can help reduce the number of cases and increase survival rates by allowing treatment to begin earlier.

For the Yuletide season, the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) is offering a gift certificate that person’s can purchase for their family and friends for a mammogram, Pap smear or one-to-three-year membership with the organisation.

“The JCS gift certificate is the gift that keeps on giving that friends and family can purchase. The gift certificate is accessible on our website and once you visit the website you are able to select the certificate you would like from the drop-down menu to purchase, pay for it, download and print,” said Shullian Brown, fundraising and public relations officer at the JCS.

Once a member of the JCS, persons will receive a membership card that will facilitate a 10 per cent discount on screening services. They will also become a part of the organisation’s discount programme where persons can visit merchants and also receive discounts.

“A mammogram and Pap smear are the gold standard of screening for both breast and cervical cancer, as they facilitate early detection in the fight against these dreaded diseases. There is no monetary limit on the number of gift certificates that can be purchased and the cost is minimal, but the life-saving opportunities are phenomenal,” Brown said.

Persons can purchase the gift certificates from December 6, 2023 to January 30, 2024. You can email jacancer@cwjamaica.com or jamaica.cancersociety@gmail.com

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com.