U.S. Blockade Double-Punishes Cubans Sick with Cancer

The financial, economic and commercial blockade imposed by the United States for nearly a half century severely affects those sick with cancer, [in that they are] unable to prolong their life due to a lack of technology and medication.

This persistent policy has caused the largest of the Antilles losses valued at $363,751,000.

One of the entities hit the hardest in all these years has been the Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology.

According to the report, “Necessity to Put an End to the Economic, Financial and Commercial Blockade of the United States Against Cuba,” which Havana will present on Oct. 26 at the U.N. General Assembly, this prestigious scientific center is deprived of obtaining various medications, medical equipment and parts.

The aforementioned entity does not have any possibility of using radioactive iodine X-rays in the treatment of children and adults that suffer from retinoblastoma tumors due to the fact that it is only sold in the United States, the text points out.

This technology is mostly used on minors, in order to treat the tumor of the retina while saving the vision of the affected eye and the aesthetic of the face.

In light of this shortage, the only alternative in the removal of one eye — and in some cases both — a procedure that besides being invasive also leads to serious limitations in life.

According to the document, Cuba does not have access to the medication Temozolomide (Temodar), a specific cytostatic for use on tumors of the central nervous system (gliomas and astrocytomas).

This illness affects approximately 250 patients annually, 30 of which are children, the text indicates.

Even though it has a few adverse effects, the use of this medication significantly increases the survival and quality of life of the patients and is relatively easy to administer in comparison to others.