Carpha On Cancer

Cervical cancer is perhaps the most preventable, yet a recent study by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 16 of the 18 countries for which data were reported, cervical cancer accounted for 4.5 percent to 18.2 per cent of cancer deaths.

Cancer remained the second leading cause of death in the Caribbean, where rates of death from cervical cancer, breast, prostate and colon cancer were two to nine times higher compared to the United States.

Executive Director, at CARPHA Dr C.

James Hospedales said the common modifiable risk factors that contributed to the development of cancers included tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

“There is strong evidence that a person’s risk of developing cancer can be substantially reduced through healthy lifestyles. A reduction in modifiable risk factors will contribute to a decrease in cancer cases, and as a consequence, deaths and costs from the disease in our Region,” he said.

This year, and through 2018, the theme for World Cancer Day (WCD) is “We can.

I can”, focusing on how everyone, collectively and individually, could do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.

The three-year campaign, which started in 2016, outlined actions that communities and individuals could take to save lives by achieving greater equity in cancer care, and making fighting cancer a priority at the highest political levels.

CARPHA is encouraging persons to adopt healthier lifestyles to prevent cancer.

The agency urged citizens to avoid the use of tobacco, limit alcohol use, maintain a healthy weight, get sufficient physical activity, increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables to five or more servings per day.

Participation in screening programmes was strongly encouraged for prevention of cervical cancer and early detection of breast, colon and rectum cancer, and it was suggested that one should get vaccinated against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B.