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Cancer research steps outside U.S. borders
By TANYA CHRISTIAN
It is the second leading cause of death in the United States and the No. 1 killer of men in
the United Kingdom. It affects the African-American community more than any other
racial group, and it is the largest health- related problem afflicting modern society.
What is it? Cancer.
Every year in the United States, billions of dollars are poured into cancer research, and
yet it remains one of the country’s greatest challenges. While cancer is a concern in one
of the most medically advanced nations in the world, the disease causes greater worries in
areas of the Caribbean, where medical advancements lag behind and the greater
population is of African descent.
In places such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, doctors are
working around the clock to not only treat cancer patients, but also, to educate the greater
population on how they may avoid getting cancer.
On a recent visit to Hampton University, Camille C. Ragin of the University of Pittsburgh
Cancer Institute, discussed her work in various places of the Caribbean and explained the
importance of establishing cancer research in areas with high populations of African
ancestry.
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Cancer Consortium
Ragin is the developer of the African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium, which was formed
in May 2006 to further the study of viral, genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors
for cancer in populations of African descent.
As an avid speaker on cancer research, Ragin lectures on why she believes there is more
effort to be made in educating society on the affect the environment has on our health.
She also cautions that African- Americans must be particularly vigilant about the effects
of their environment.
Ragin has witnessed significant disparities between the rate of black cancer patients and
that of other races. Although scientific research has proven that cancer is due in part to
genetics, there are some environmental issues that help contribute to the growth of this
life-threatening illness.
Household asbestos, wood and dust are amongst the list of substances to avoid, as well as
lead, radiation and tobacco use. These carcinogen carriers, as Ragin explained, form
tumors and cause mutations that further develop into cancer.
Sachaney Anson, a native of Jamaica is well aware of environmental issues that increase
the risk of getting cancer. Anson believes education and prevention are important in
addressing the illness. “Because my mother’s side of the family has a history of cancer, I
schedule annual visits with my gynecologist, and received the Gardasil vaccine which
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helps protect against HPV [human papillomavirus] --the virus that causes cervical
cancer,” Anson said.
In 1995, Anson lost her aunt, Harline Campbell, to ovarian cancer. Campbell, who was
diagnosed in 1994, left her home in Richmond Hanover, Jamaica, to receive medical
attention in Florida.
At this time, Jamaica’s treatment of cancer left many like Campbell looking for help
away from her home country.
While Jamaica’s efficiency in treating cancer remains in the developmental stage,
Jamaican health officials are making significant strides in educating the island on its
affects.
Awareness Campaign
In March 2008, the Jamaican Cancer Society launched an anti-tobacco poster
competition. According to the Web site, their goal is to inform students in grades one
through six on the effects of tobacco use, and get them involved in preparing for a
healthy future.
"Our mission is to eliminate cancer as a major health problem in whatever areas that we
know that the disease will be caused by certain lifestyles and we place a lot of emphasis
on these areas," Carol Blair, administrative director of the JCS, told Caribseek Caribbean
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News in a recent interview.
Donald A. Patterson, of Jamaica shares Blair’s sentiments. He believes that prevention is
one of the best ways to combat cancer. In an article for www.jamaicans.com, he stated
“The risk of cancer can be reduced by not using tobacco products; by eating foods with
less fat and eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; by exercising regularly; and
by avoiding overexposure to the sun. In addition, by being screened regularly, pre-
cancerous conditions can be detected and treated before becoming cancerous.”
Although there have been efforts made to educate Caribbean communities about cancer
prevention, the fact remains that there are still high numbers dying from this life
threatening illness. According to data collected from the Cancer Registry at the
University of the West Indies, in 1999 there were 2,697 cancer deaths in Jamaica,
representing 17.7 percent of deaths that year. Nearly 10 years later, cancer still remains
the second-leading cause of death in Jamaica.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the numbers are also quite alarming. According to the Pan-
American Health Organization Web site, in 1994, cancer was responsible for 19.1 percent
of female deaths, and continues to be the second-leading cause of mortality on the twin
islands since 1987.
Superstar Steps Up
In an effort to combat the overwhelming affects of cancer, in January 2007 with the help
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of the Medcorps Group of Trinidad and Tobago, former West Indies cricket captain and
batting maestro, Brian Lara launched a cancer treatment center in his name. Lara, whose
mother suffered with cancer for 10 years and lost her battle with the life-threatening
illness in 2002, is responsible for giving Trinidad and Tobago their first state- of-the-art
cancer treatment center.
In Port of Spain, Trinidad, where the Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre is located, the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government held a regional summit on
communicable diseases (CNCD) in September of 2007. Cancer fits into this small
category of medical illnesses affecting a large percentage of the West Indian population.
According to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre Web site, the Caribbean faces the
worst epidemic of chronic, non-communicable diseases in the Americas, causing much
preventable loss of life, lost productivity and spiraling health care costs.
Ragin, in conjunction with the African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium, is steadily
working in Trinidad and Tobago to eradicate the epidemic. Right now their work is
proving beneficial in this area of the Caribbean, as the twin islands is the first to have a
cancer registry. According to the Infectious Agents and Cancer Web site, The Trinidad
and Tobago cancer registry includes data through passive and active collection from all
sources where cancer is diagnosed, and has the capabilities to measure the burden of
cancer in Trinidad and Tobago; determines incidence and mortality rates for all cancers;
identifies cancer clusters and trends; informs government policies; satisfies requests for
information from medical and non medical personnel; and disseminates information and
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analysis of data to health professionals and the general public through the publication of
reports.
Medical Advancements
The consortium is using this registry as a model, and is pushing for all islands of the
Caribbean to form a cancer registry, which will aid medical officials in their studies and
efforts to eliminate the problem.
While medical advancements in cancer are steadily appearing in Jamaica and Trinidad
and Tobago, the U.S. Virgin Islands between 1988 and 2002, has shown a 93- percent
decrease in the total risk of getting cancer. According to Scorecard.org, the improvement
is due to the removal of environmental toxins such as benzene, lead, and nickel
compounds.
In the last 10 years, the U.S. Virgin Islands has started to actively address the issues
surrounding cancer head on. In 2006, the U.S. territory built their own cancer institute to
aid in cancer research and treat patients suffering with the illness.
According to Caribbean Net News, the $18 million, 24,000-square foot Charlotte
Kimelman Cancer Institute located in St. Thomas features the latest in intensity-
modulated radiation technologies for treating cancer and other tumors.
The new facility allows for those diagnosed with cancer to have a place, not far from the
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support of family and friends, to receive help. Previously, cancer patients were forced to
travel to the United States and other more medically advanced nations, to undergo
treatment.
Although there is still no cure for cancer, each day the world comes closer to eradicating
the illness. Medical advancements in areas of the Caribbean demonstrate just how far
scientists and health officials have come in making the life-threatening illness a treatable
condition. Awareness campaigns in Jamaica, the establishment of cancer registries in
Trinidad and Tobago, and state-of-the-art cancer institutes in the U.S. Virgin Islands, are
all proof there is an end in sight.
Christian is a senior at Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and
Communications.
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