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

Published in Ahora
(Cuba) on 20 October 2010
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Joseph Locatelli. Edited by Heidi Kaufmann.
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.





El bloqueo económico, financiero y comercial impuesto por Estados Unidos a Cuba desde hace casi medio siglo incide de manera severa sobre los enfermos de cáncer, imposibilitados de prolongar su vida por falta de tecnologías y medicamentos.

Esa pertinaz política ha ocasionado a la mayor de las Antillas pérdidas valoradas en 751 mil 363 millones de dólares.

Una de las entidades más golpeada en todo estos años ha sido el Instituto de Oncología y Radiobiología.

De acuerdo con el informe Necesidad de poner fin al bloqueo económico, financiero y comercial impuesto por Estados Unidos a Cuba que presentará La Habana el venidero 26 de octubre en la Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas, ese prestigioso centro científico está privado de obtener varios medicamentos, equipos médicos y repuestos.

Dicha entidad no tiene posibilidad alguna de emplear placas de Yodo Radioactivo en el tratamiento a niños y adultos que padecen del tumor retinoblastoma debido a que sólo son vendidas en Estadios Unidos, señala el texto.

Esta tecnología es mayormente utilizada en los menores, dado que permite tratar el tumor de retina, conservando la visión del ojo afectado y la estética del rostro.

Ante esta carencia, la única alternativa es la extirpación de un ojo y en otros casos los dos, procedimiento que además invasivo, acarrea sería limitaciones para la vida.

Cuba -señala el documento- no tiene acceso al medicamento de Temozolamide (Temodar), citostático específico para el uso de tumores del sistema nervioso central (glioma y astrocitomas).

Esta enfermedad afecta aproximadamente a 250 pacientes anuales, de los cuales alrededor de 30 son niños, indica el texto.

El empleo de este medicamento aumentaría significativamente la supervivencia y calidad de vida de los pacientes, ya que el mismo tiene pocos efectos adversos y es de relativa fácil administración en comparación con otros.
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