Cancer research steps outside U.S. borders

 By TANYA CHRISTIAN    

5/06/2008

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.