‘I had breast cancer’

Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Christine Kangaloo was a victim of cancer of the breast. In a departure from the norm in Trinidad and Tobago — of not being forthright in these matters Kangaloo struck a refreshing note of candour yesterday when she revealed to the assembled press that she had received this diagnosis on March 9, 2004. She was speaking yesterday at a post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall. She said her course of treatment, which involved surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, was received overseas. Kangaloo, who was out of the country from September 16 until November 20, said her course of treatment was now complete.

“I am both happy and relieved to be able to report that I have been given a clean bill of health by my doctors,” Kangaloo stated. The Minister returned to Trinidad last Saturday and reported for work on Monday. Noting that Government was committed to the delivery of social services and there was much to be done, Kangaloo said she was “anxious, ready, willing and able” to play her part as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Social Services delivery. Cancer of the breast and the organs of the reproductive tract — ovaries, uterus, cervix — are the most common cancers occurring in women. In men, the most prevalent forms are cancer of the prostate and colon. Government is in the process of establishing a National Onocology Programme and as part of this programme there will be a centre at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where everything relating to the treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, will be done.

The centre will be fully operational within 30 months, though some aspects of the programme will be introduced in phases. The project is expected to cost $150 million and a team of Canadian consultants will provide the technical expertise for the development of the centre. Women’s activist Hazel Brown, who suffered with cervical cancer, said yesterday, one of the most important things for women in “that condition” is that, as long as they want to continue to work, they should be encouraged to do so. “I also tell people it is all in your head. I believe you can beat anything if you have the right mental approach to it and the support of other people,” she said.

Brown said there was much therapy involved in the healing — music and just a peaceful environment. “I don’t know if in the  political arena whether you are afforded that luxury of some peace.” Brown said the idea of cancer in Trinidad and Tobago was like a “death sentence,” but it does not have to be. “Many people survive and the ones who do are those who have a positive attitude and support,” she said. Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she had known Kangaloo for many years before “either of us became politicians, when we both practised as lawyers in San Fernando.”  “Consequently I have no doubt that her faith in God, her courage and strength of personality will certainly help her to overcome this disease.”

Persad-Bissessar added that Kangaloo’s announcement had done much in setting an example in more ways than one. “Her openness and honesty will help the cause of educating women about early disease as well as highlight the need for more attention to be paid by the authorities to education about, and treatment of it,” she said. She commended Kangaloo and wished her a speedy recovery. Senate President Dr Linda Baboolal said she was sorry to hear about Kangaloo’s illness. Endorsing the view that early treatment was important, she stated that Kangaloo had done the best thing “which was to get the best treatment available.” Baboolal, who is in Jamaica, said when she sees Kangaloo, maybe next Tuesday, she would talk with her and give her all the support she could.