ONCOLOGY NURSE HIGHLIGHTS CHALLENGES TO RAISE AWARENESS ON CERVICAL CANCER

By Vonu LIBITINO
Ten women are currently undergoing chemotherapy (chemo) treatment for cervical cancer at the Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN).
Mr Peter Fore, one of 10 oncology nurses at POMGEN happens to know these 10 cervical cancer patients very well, administers chemotherapy & compassionate care to both the patients and their families.
In January, during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Peter, who happens to be the President of the Papua New Guinea Oncology Nurses Association (PNGONA) is doing his part by highlighting the challenges he and his colleagues face in caring for cervical cancer patients.
“For obstetrics and gynaecology, we only have one chemo room. This means I can only work with one patient at one time, every day,” Peter explained.
Peter, outlining the lengthy and tiresome process that a cancer patient must go through, admitted that patients undergo six cycles of chemotherapy, with one cycle every month for six months. Each cycle involves one session lasting 8 hours, one day in a week.
This may sometimes be considered an aggressive treatment for cancer and often requires them to work overtime, to fit in more than one patient every day, ensuring that patients are getting adequate care needed to battle cancer.
Apart from the gruelling schedule of chemo, there is always the issue of having an adequate supply of cancer drugs for all the patients.
“There are two cancer drugs that patients need to undergo chemo, these are paclitaxel and carboplatin. There are other cancer drugs we use however we normally use these two for cervical cancer.”
“For the last two weeks, we ran out of Paclitaxel. We had to give prescriptions to patients to buy this drug outside. The cost of one paclitaxel 300 milligram/50 milliliters cost around K300. Most of the drugs required to do chemo range between K50-K500 per drug. We have these drugs in stock right now, but it will not last long,” Peter said.
Despite the challenges involved in caring for cancer patients, Peter and his colleagues continue to do their very best, often working overtime without compensation, so that mothers, sisters, and women diagnosed with cervical cancer have a fighting chance at life.
“Being an oncology nurse is deeply personal to me,” Peter said.
“As my own family members have battled cancer. This is the connection that drives me to serve my patients with all my heart. Yes, we lose patients along the way, and it is never easy however I find strength in knowing that I have provided them with care and comfort during their journey,” Peter reflecting on his past experiences in his calling as an oncology nurse.
When asked how he deals with loss of his patients, Peter pointed to a higher power, to help him deal with the emotional trauma.
“To cope, I lean on my faith, family and the support of my colleagues. We do not have therapy however we all try to deal with and process the grief that. This is just one of the many challenges I face but my passion for making a difference keeps me motivated and committed to this calling.
With the current issues providing proper and adequate cancer treatment and care in the public health system, Peter Fore made a heartfelt appeal for more women and girls to go for regular checkups, as early detection means early intervention and greater chances of success in battling cervical cancer.