Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Care a Top Priority
World Cancer Day is an international observation celebrated on 4 February to raise awareness about cancer, encourage its prevention, and mobilise action to address the global cancer epidemic.
“Cancer prevention, treatment and care is a top priority for me and the NCFC government,” begins Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES). “As persons who are living with cancer, those who have survived it, and the numerous healthcare profesionals, caretakers and family members impacted by cancer know, this work is year round. World Cancer Day provides us with an opportunity to focus on this specific issue holistically, and it is an optimal time to discuss what is being done and how it will serve our community in our fight against cancer.”
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in general, and that of cancer in particular, is both well known and felt within our community.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Cayman Islands after cardiovascular disease. The results of the STEPS 2023 National Health Survey, which provide nationally representative data for risk factors for NCDs, also provided important information relating to preventative action and access to care. For example, 32% of the population eligible for cervical screening (women aged 25-49 years) have never been screened, and only 30% of men between the ages of 18-69 report ever having a prostate exam.
“As we are committed to taking a data informed approach to the creation of policies, legislation and public health programming, the STEPS data has helped to shape the forthcoming National Cancer Policy, the updating of the Cancer Registry Bill, as well as specific public health campaigns, such as the HPV cancer prevention vaccination drive,” Minister Ebanks-Wilks adds.
The National Cancer Policy, which is in its final stages of review and approval, outlines the national framework for the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and oversight of cancer screening programmes across the Cayman Islands. It adopts cancer quality standards and guidelines to establish standardised care pathways to guide practitioners and ensure consistency in the delivery of care.
“This policy will establish a clear national framework for organised cancer screening, quality assurance, and continuous improvement,” explains Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hilary Wolf. ”The policy will be reviewed and updated as evidence advances, technologies develop, and local capacity grows.”
“Our aim is simple: we want to ensure that wherever patients are getting treated, they are receiving timely and coordinated care from initial screening all the way through diagnosis and treatment,” Minister Ebanks-Wilks adds.
The Cancer Registry Act, which is in its initial drafting stages, will help to enable national collection of cancer-related data to inform cancer prevention, treatment and care within the Cayman Islands. A comprehensive, population based cancer registry would systematically capture information on cancer incidence, type, stage at diagnosis, treatment and survival.
“We do not currently have a national cancer registry,” Dr. Wolf adds. “Without one, we cannot accurately measure incidence, track trends over time, or fully understand where prevention and early detection efforts should be focused. That is why establishing a national cancer registry is a priority for the Ministry. A registry is not just about numbers—it is about knowledge that saves lives. It allows us to guide policy, improve clinical practice, and ensure resources are directed where they are needed most. This will be done with the utmost respect for data protection, with strong privacy safeguards, clear governance, and public trust at its core.”
“We all have stories about cancer,” Minister Ebanks-Wilks says. “There is a perception in our community that the incidence of cancer in Cayman is high- above average high at that. Yet, we lack the data to be able to know for sure. The first step to taking meaningful action is understanding what exactly we are dealing with, and that is what this registry will provide us- the ability to take decisive action that can help to save people’s lives.”
Lastly, the Ministry continues its work to support the public health cancer prevention initiative through the community and school based HPV vaccination efforts. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to cervical, anal, penile, vulval, vagina and some types of mouth, throat, head and neck cancers. The HPV vaccine, which is heavily promoted in September and October each year as a partnership with the Cayman Islands Cancer Society and the Public Health Department, is actually available year round.
“There are studies from countries with robust vaccination programmes, screening programmes and registries that show that the HPV vaccine is essentially erasing cervical cancer among those who have been vaccinated,” explains Felicia McLean, Chief Nursing Officer. “As we work to strengthen our vaccination programme, standardise screening programmes and introduce the registry, we too will be situated to measure the real impact of the vaccine within our community. However, the global data is compelling and I continue to urge parents and young people to get vaccinated. The vaccine is available free of cost via the public health department and can be administered at schools upon request with written parental consent.”
More information on the HPV vaccine, including the school vaccination programme, can be obtained from the Public Health Department on 244-2648.
“Our Ministry team has been working hard to modernise and strengthen the framework that will support all aspects of this work,” Chief Officer Tamara Ebanks adds. “The National Health Strategy and Plan, for example, will pull together all cancer related work under a national workstream, as well as make connections with work relating to other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), care pathways, and standards of practice. Along with improving the overall quality of care, this work will reduce costs and the overall financial burden on not only individuals, but the nation as a whole.”
