Cancer care systems across the Caribbean are grappling with significant pressure, marked by treatment delays, shortages of essential medicines and equipment, and a growing backlog exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, medical professionals and public health experts are advocating for innovative, resilient, and holistic approaches that can ensure high-quality care despite these considerable challenges. This critical discussion unfolded during the second day of a recent Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners’ (BAMP) doctors conference, a key event for Caribbean healthcare news today.
Cancer has emerged as the second leading cause of death in the Caribbean region, with particularly high mortality rates for prostate and breast cancers globally. Despite progress in medical advancements, many Caribbean nations face systemic hurdles. These include limited resources, insufficient specialized personnel, and inadequate diagnostic and support infrastructure, often leading to patients presenting with advanced-stage diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained already stretched public healthcare systems, creating significant backlogs and delays in patient treatment, with knock-on effects of delayed diagnoses and disease progression. Beyond health crises, the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters like hurricanes can also severely disrupt essential cancer treatment continuity.
During the BAMP conference, themed “A holistic approach to cancer care,” experts highlighted the persistent gaps in accessing the most advanced cancer therapies, noting that some crucial drugs are not universally available or may not be effective at later stages of the disease. This can leave certain patients with limited options within the public health system, often necessitating reliance on private practice. Dr. Kelly Alleyne-Mike pointed out that these limitations in material resources, equipment, and tools are not unique to Barbados but are a shared reality across the Caribbean.
Despite these systemic pressures, the prevailing sentiment among experts is one of determined resilience. The core message is that Caribbean nations can “work around” these constraints by optimizing existing capacities and reinforcing multidisciplinary approaches. This involves prioritizing human and technological resources to achieve better patient outcomes. Dr. Lynda Williams, President of BAMP, stressed the importance of a team approach, noting that while not every necessary resource might be available locally, access to knowledge and expertise is now facilitated through virtual means, with presenters from abroad contributing significantly to the conference.
“We may not have everything that we need to fight here in Barbados, but we have access now through virtual means to so many different professions… So we have all the access to this knowledge, but we must use it. We must come together and use it, and if we are short in one aspect in one Caribbean country, we can share resources to build up what is available to patients with cancer across the region,” Dr. Williams stated. This sentiment underscores a growing emphasis on regional collaboration, where countries can pool resources and share expertise to bolster cancer care services for all patients in the region.
The call for a holistic approach extends beyond traditional medical interventions. Presentations and discussions also emphasized the critical role of lifestyle medicine, including exercise, quality sleep, stress management, nutrition, and supportive relationships, in influencing recurrence, fatigue, overall survival, and the patient’s overall experience with cancer. Initiatives like the Caribbean Metastatic Breast Cancer Care Navigation Program exemplify this integrated strategy, offering intensive case management and education to empower patients and improve their quality of life, particularly for those with advanced disease where regional resources are often limited.
Progress is also being made in developing essential infrastructure for better cancer control. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in collaboration with regional partners, is leading the establishment of a Caribbean Cancer Registry Hub. This initiative aims to strengthen cancer surveillance by building capacity for data collection and analysis across the region, which is crucial for evidence-based policy-making and planning. Similarly, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supports regional efforts, including the development of national childhood cancer plans and improving access to essential cancer medicines and supplies across Latin America and the Caribbean.
While challenges like workforce shortages, inequitable access, and the need for standardized screening protocols persist, the ongoing dialogue and collaborative efforts highlight a proactive stance. The news from the BAMP conference signals a collective commitment within the Caribbean to adapt, innovate, and share resources, aiming to navigate the current pressures and build a more robust and equitable future for cancer care across the region.