15 Jun 2004

American Samoan coalition formed to tackle cancer

4:00 pm on 15 June 2004

A coalition of government leaders, health professionals and cancer survivors has been formed in American Samoa to draw up a territorial plan to fight the disease.

The chairman of the new group, Dr. Tofaeono Victor Williams, says cancer is the second leading cause of death in the territory.

Breast cancer is the most common form but cancer of the liver is also on the increase.

Dr. Tofaeono says an important task of the coalition is to co-ordinate cancer related activities by various groups.

He says at present everything is fragmented, the treatment is haphazard and disjointed.

The coalition hopes to be the focal point of contact for cancer patients, so they will know where to go, what to expect, and the financial resources that are available to help them get treatment.