Cayman Islands want better picture of cancer stats

By Caribbean Medical News Staff  

There is mounting evidence that cancer cases in the Cayman Islands are higher than hitherto thought and The Cayman Islands Cancer Registry, which collects information on a voluntary basis is asking patients and/or physicians to inform them of cancer diagnoses with a view to understanding and analyzing the prevalence of cancer in Cayman. To date, there are only 177 documented cases in the Registry and the Cancer registrar is guaranteeing confidentiality.

Cancer Registrar Amanda Franck is hoping that mandatory reporting will be introduced before the year is out. The month of January is being dedicated to raising awareness about the reporting of reliable, accurate and confidential diagnoses of cancer within the population with a view to improving the Cayman’s prevention efforts. The efforts also translate to support and treatment and a holisticapproach to managing cancer treatment and cancer patients’ well-being.

Franck suggested that there is no formal way of collecting information on the types, levels and ages of those with cancer and this was hampering efforts to address and treat cancer in the British territory.

The Register was first introduced in 2010.

“Once we know that we are capturing the data of all diagnosed cases we can begin to examine what could be the environmental factors,” Franck said.

She also explained that there is no explanation as to why reporting is so limited and that a framework and protocol needed to be established in order to facilitate mandatory reporting by law.

“Patient confidentiality is of upmost importance and all information is held securely in a database and will never be available for public viewing,” Franckemphasized. Franck is also asking for reporting of past and current cases.
“Currently, there is very little information on the number of people living with cancer in the Cayman Islands, nor it is known which types of cancer are the most prevalent, or which types are on the rise,” Franck explained. “We need this information so the Cancer Registry can do everything possible to decrease cancerrisks and keep the population healthy. We rely on cancer survivors, and families of those who have passed from cancer, to provide us with this valuable information.”

 

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