RESEARCH & INNOVATION
C oinciding with the release of the BNR findings was the commemoration of World Cancer Day on 4 February, with the poignant slogan "close the care gap". The BNR report, a critical resource for the Ministry of Health and Wellness, clinicians, the board and management of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, non-governmental organisations, and other partners, provides essential information for the planning and management of cancer in Barbados. As these dedicated medical researchers passionately advocate for improved cancer care, their efforts illuminate the path towards a future where education, early detection, and accessible treatment options contribute to closing the care gap and fostering a healthier community. u
T he BNR report highlights the heightened likelihood of cancer diagnoses in aging individuals, many of whom lack the financial resources and support necessary for adequate care. In 2018, Barbados recorded 960 new cancer cases, slightly below the yearly average of 977 between 2013 and 2018. Prostate cancer was the most prevalent among men, while breast and colorectal cancers (CRCs) were most prevalent among women, with persistently high incidence and mortality rates for the latter.
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