The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has reinforced the need for residents in the Member States it serves to pay attention to their lifestyle choices.
This comes in a statement issued as the regional health agency joined in marking World Cancer Day on February, 4.

It noted that cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death. No part of the world has been spared the impact of this public health issue.

In the Caribbean, cancer is the second leading cause of death, accounting for a fifth of all deaths.

In 2020, over 100,000 new cancer cases and over 65,000 cancer deaths in the Caribbean were estimated. Female breast cancer accounted for the most cancer cases in the Caribbean (15%), while lung cancer caused the most cancer deaths (12%). Prostate, colorectal and stomach cancers are also common, CARPHA has pointed out.

“Up to 50% of cancer cases are preventable, and 27% of cancers relate to alcohol and tobacco use. People can reduce their risk of getting certain types of cancer by adopting healthy lifestyles and practising suitable health seeking behaviours,” stated Dr. Joy St. John, executive director at CARPHA.

Adopting healthier behaviours can help to reduce your risk of cancer. The following reminders have therefore been listed:

• The less alcohol you drink, the lower your risk of cancer.

• Avoid tobacco products and exposure to second-hand smoke.

• Increase physical activity.

• Eat foods low in salt, sugar and harmful fats.

Worldwide, cancer is the second leading cause of death, causing one-sixth of all deaths. In 2020, there were 19.3 million new cancer cases, with breast, lung, prostate, skin and colon cancers being the most common; and there were 10 million cancer deaths in that same year.

CARPHA says it is engaged in initiatives to address the risk factors associated with increased cancer risks, including poor nutrition and the consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco. CARPHA said it also supports regional efforts to reduce the threats posed to Caribbean people by unhealthy diets, obesogenic food environments and the harmful use of alcohol.

The IARC Caribbean Cancer Registry Hub (“Caribbean Hub”), based at CARPHA Headquarters in Trinidad, provides technical support to increase the quality and population coverage of national cancer registries in the Caribbean through guidance, training, networking and advocacy for the critical role of such registries in cancer surveillance and cancer control.

Cancer registration activities in several Caribbean countries are also being strengthened. Better quality cancer data provides more reliable evidence to support decision making for cancer prevention and control at the national and regional levels.

As the three-year 2022-2024 World Cancer Day theme “Close the Care Gap” continues, we focus on “Uniting our voices and taking action” in 2023. This campaign seeks to close the equity gaps in cancer outcomes between people with different social determinants of health, such as race/ethnicity, income level, gender and geographical location through a united approach and taking action.

To help address these issues, a whole of society approach is needed to close the gap in inequities. This means collectively taking action and committing to health equality so that everyone has the same opportunity to prevent cancer, find it early, and get proper treatment.

Primary health care delivered in communities needs to be strengthened; social and economic factors that negatively affect people’s health need to be addressed through policy and programmes, and investments in health care systems and national programmes are needed.

It is important to support and advocate for the collection and dissemination of high-quality data on cancer incidence, mortality, and treatment to ensure evidence-based decision-making for improvements to national cancer control programmes. Additionally, investments in strategies can help improve cancer outcomes, such as universal health coverage, primary health care, early detection, timely referral mechanisms, effective treatment, and palliative care.

Cancer is a critical public health concern, CARPHA has pointed out. When we unite, when we collaborate, change is within reach. When we act, there is progress, impact and equity. Let us close the gap.