K Brown, I Niles, Y Alexander-Akins, E Bird, A Duncan, O Gabriel, C Heskey, L LeBruin, J Maynard, J Miller, M Natta, S Nixon, D Phillip, J Quinn, N Shillingford, L Telesford, S Whittaker, T Williams , H Yazigi, T Black, A Auguste
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Methods: A literature review was performed using PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar with defined keywords. We analysed data from cancer control initiatives in the OECS (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), WHO cervical cancer country profiles and the CanScreen5 repository. Anecdotal accounts from local stakeholders were collected for deeper insights into cancer control initiatives.
Results: Cervical cancer prevention programs are wellestablished across OECS member states, while screening for breast, prostate, and colon cancers remains predominantly opportunistic, relying on physician recommendations or regular mass screening events. Organized screening programs—proven to be more cost-effective and impactful in reducing mortality—are absent, particularly for colorectal cancer, despite its significant mortality burden. Civil society organizations and healthcare professionals play a critical role in supplementing gaps in cancer screening and support services. Progress was noted in cancer surveillance, including financial commitment from governments to support national cancer registries and initiatives to collect and review hospital-based data on cancer incidence. Efforts are ongoing to build a research group for robust epidemiological studies to study cancer prevention and care within the OECS.
Conclusion: While cervical cancer prevention efforts are commendable, OECS member states may require more structured screening programs for other cancers to ensure equitable access and systematic data collection, quality control, case tracking and evaluation. Establishing a regional cancer screening taskforce under the OECS Commission, improving access to nuclear medicine and radiotherapy, and expanding research on overseas medical travel for cancer care are critical next steps to strengthen cancer control in the sub-region.
R Emmanuel, N Wallace, D Laudat, X Zourntos, L Vargas Dias, D Parmar, P Dazzan, J Murdoch, P Jardim, A Grande, R Gibson, A Abdulkadri, S Anderson, S Harding
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J Kuretski, H Bolivar, C Dowden, E Allseits, R Sabec, C Rivera, J Rodrigues, M Ramgopal
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