The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Regional Office for the Americas has revealed that Trinidad and Tobago has the highest morbidity rate of cancer in the entire Caribbean.
According to the report released at the 5th International Cancer Control Congress in Peru, deaths were decreasing in some countries of the Americas for some cancers while others were on the rise. The highest cancer mortality rates in the region are found in Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Cuba according to the date submitted to PAHO/WHO by its member countries. Mexico, Nicaragua and El Salvador have the lowest cancer mortality rates in contrast. Cancer deaths overall are declining in nine countries namely, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and the United States.
“The large number of deaths from breast and cervical cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean is very disconcerting, since cervical cancer is largely preventable, and breast cancer can be detected early and treated successfully,’’ said Silvana Luciani, PAHO/WHO advisor on cancer prevention and control.
An estimated 1.3 million lives are lost in the Americas each year to cancer and the PAHO/WHO Report illustrates that Latin America and the Caribbean account for 50 per cent (50%) of the cancer deaths in the Caribbean. The report also addressed Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs).
The report found that prostate cancer was the most prevalent cancer in men while breast cancer was the most prevalent in women. Obesity was also reported to be another risk factor for cancer and particularly so in the English-speaking Caribbean.
The report is based on recent data compiled by PAHO/WHO about cancer mortality, risk factors and cancer policies and services in the countries of North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.
The main risk factors for cancer mortality included tobacco use, alcohol use, diet, physical activity or lack thereof, while trends in socio-economic, socio-demographic and policies and services for cancer were also studied over the ten year period 2000 – 2010. Health sector plans were also studied. According to Luciani, “The idea is to provide key information that can help countries monitor progress in cancer control and assess areas of need; this report contributes significantly to the evidence base for cancer policymaking and health care.”
