RESEARCH & INNOVATION
S ome 1,030 new report of the Barbados National Registry for Non-Communicable Diseases undertaken by GA-CDRC on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness . Women account for more than half the cases, while prostate cancer remains of greatest concern. In Barbados, prostate cancer is the cancer cases of cancer were reported in Barbados in 2015, according to the annual most commonly diagnosed every year and the one with the highest death rate. Overall, Barbados has the second highest death rate from prostate cancer in the world based on its population size and structure.
pattern of a particular type of cancer occurring across multiple generations, and I think for a lot of Caribbean families it’s not uncommon to see these patterns and not fully understand the genetic or environmental basis. Currently, cancer treatment is evolving into a precision science heavily informed by the specific behaviour of a tumor at a genetic/ molecular level. In the Caribbean, we do not have consistent access to this level of testing without sending samples out of the region; and for some persons, or families this is not possible. This study provides us with the incredible opportunity to get the genetics and molecular analysis done at a population level. It truly is a phenomenal and game-changing opportunity as to the potential insight into understanding cancer causation in Barbados and the other sites in the Caribbean.” Once the necessary ethical approvals are received and informed consent given by all parties involved, data will be collected through open recruitment. Urologists, oncologists, breast surgeons, and general practitioners are among those who will be involved in this data-gathering exercise. The study will also include cancer patients from Fox Chase Cancer Center , Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center , The University of Alabama , Augusta University in collaboration with Morgan State University , and other research sites in Benin, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Kenya, and Namibia. l
undertake studies amongst persons with similar genetic ancestry. We are also an admixture of geographic communities, including from Europe and Asia. Thus, we seek to understand what role that admixture has (or not) in what is discovered genetically or described through observable phenotypic characteristics as it relates to cancer. We’re aiming to look at a homogenous population, and our collaboration with scientists in Africa, the Caribbean and from the United States who treat patients who classify themselves as Black, will help to achieve that goal.” he said. “Our objectives are to study cancer with the same sophistication and rigour as is done in other research centres globally. This adds to science knowledge overall and benefits everyone. In this transnational study, our genomics research will contribute to a more precise understanding
Regionally, the situation regarding prostate cancer is
equally grim. Not only does it represent one of the highest rates of new cancers but cancer- related deaths as well. Dr. Greaves spoke of the significance of the population- based study: “This is the first time, as far as I’m aware, we’re having this scale of genomic and molecular sequencing to inform the creation of a biobank in Barbados.” Aside from the national, regional, and international implications, Dr. Greaves said the study was personal for her: “My family has an interesting
of managing and treating cancer,
through diagnostics or therapeutics discovered from molecular studies in communities of African origin.”
CHILL NEWS 59
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