600 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Fiji every year – Dr Turagava

600 new cases of breast cancer are being diagnosed every year in Fiji, and doctors see over 200 to 300 cases in a year.

This was revealed by Health Ministry Chief Surgeon Dr. Josese Turagava when questioned by fijivillage News if he has seen an increase in breast cancer cases over the years.

Dr Turagava says some cancers are curable while some are incurable depending on which grade and which type of cancer the person is suffering from.

He says for the curable ones, if patients come in early, they can assist the patient.

He added when he joined the Ministry in 2004 the Ministry was having about 60 percent mortality in the first year of diagnosis.

The Chief Surgeon says when women heard the word cancer, to them it was a death sentence.

He says most would run away and even hide it from their families.

Dr Turagava says most women would look for herbal medicine to cure their disease, but from his experience, herbal medicine does not work.