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World Cancer Day 2014 pulls together a handful of FSM National Government employees for reflection and activities

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): February 6, 2014 - The World Cancer Day celebration at the Federated States of Micronesia National Capitol brought together a handful of employees from the National Government offices who took the time to participate in the informative and fun learning and sport activities for the half-day event.

The event opened with a remark by Mr. Kerio Walliby, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program Coordinator, who encouraged the participants to make use of the opportunity to learn more about cancer in the FSM, its trend, and the ongoing efforts to curb its spread.

Mr. X-ner Luther, National Comprehensive Cancer Coalition Program Coordinator for the FSM, led the discussion session with assistance from Mr. Felix Pelep, NCCCP data specialist, and staff from the Tobacco Control Coalition Program and the Non-Communicable Disease Program. Mr. Richard Moufa, representing the World Health Organization Office in the FSM, shared some information and encouraged the cancer coalition to network with their national partners with the aim to put in place a nation-wide surveillance system to help improve health service deliveries for the disease down the years.

During the discussions, the most prevalent types of cancer in the FSM were highlighted including the cancers of the lungs, cervix uteri, prostate, breast, and liver. It was also mentioned that mouth cancer is "on the rise" in the FSM as a whole. Prevalence for the different types of cancer vary from State to State, according the Mr. Luther.

The half-day event also included a healthy snack demonstration, a 3-kilometer race-walking around the Palikir loop, and some "ball-games" on the basketball court outside the Transnational Crime Unit Office. Participants were grouped into three teams from the Department of Health and Social Affairs, the Department of Finance and the Office of the President. Mrs. Melsihter Artui from the NDC Program won the race walking. However, the Office of the President won the most point after the ball-games scores were tallied.

In closing, the participants agreed to make the event better next year, aiming to broaden participation to include other departments and interested community folks. It was also generally agreed that the cancer coalition should work with small "sharing groups" who should serve as partners with the coalition in raising awareness in the neighboring communities of Palikir and among national employees through more regular small-scale activities and support the general efforts in dealing with cancer and other preventable illnesses.

For more information, contact Mr. Luther at 320-8525 or xluther@fsmhealth.fm