PINKTOBER AWARENESS

Officers at the Fiji Police Force headquarters in Centrepoint Nasinu were reminded today by cancer survivors to get regular checkups for early detection of any form cancer.

Present to share their stories were cancer survivors Mary Luvevou, one year old Elijah Raivalita and 9-year old Avolonia Draiva.

Ms Luvevou, of Vuci Road Nausori said she had learned a lot from the experiences of her aunt that succumbed to cancer after she had delayed in getting regular checks.

“I had an aunt that lost her life to cancer and what she went through taught me a lot, so when I discovered a small lump in my breast in 2020 I made sure that I got it checked out,” Luvevou said.

“In 2020 there was a free cancer checkup clinic organized around Nausori and I made sure to get myself checked in that free clinic, and afterwards I got my Biopsy exam result confirming that I had stage 1 breast cancer,” Luvevou added.

She said that her early detection of the cancer assisted her in her fight against the disease.

“I would advise all police officers, and everyone in general to always get their regular checkups as it would help them a lot, get checked even if they think they are healthy,” Luvevou said.

Luvevou and other cancer survivors were guests at the Fiji Police headquarters today where the senior officers from the Command Group including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Itendra Nair hosted a basket tea fundraiser, with all money collected donated to Fiji Cancer Society, WOWS Kids Fiji.

Also present were representatives from Medical Services Pacific.