Cancer therapy and treatment over the past years has improved dramatically that people now have the chance to be able to fight and survive cancer and lead normal lives.

That is the sentiment of the Dean of the School of Science for the Fiji National University, Doctor Ian Rouse while opening the Bushels Tea Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea earlier this week.

Rouse said that in his professional experience as well as helping his parents who both fought cancer, he has noted a dramatic change in the way cancer is treated as more focus is now on detection.

Doctor Rouse stressed that as Fiji is more centered on extended families, it is good to know the medical history of your family to check if any other member in your family had cancer.

According to Rouse, though Fiji does not have the specialists and screening tests are delayed, it is always good to have balanced diets, avoid a lot of red meat, do not drink too much alcohol and cut down on smoking.

He congratulated the Fiji Cancer Society for raising awareness on cancer and cancer therapy and added that the society's raising over $228,000 in just four years is proof of how much people are supporting the Society's vision.

In the statistics released by the Fiji Cancer Society, for 2008 there were a total of 455 new cases while there were 459 deaths recorded due to cancer.

Fiji's biggest morning tea was launched on Wednesday.

Story by: Paradise Tabucala