By NAN Contributor
News Americas, Port of Spain, Trinidad, Tues. December 20, 2016: Researchers from both a Caribbean and US agency have identified one disease as the second leading cause of death across the Caribbean. Here are six major findings from the study by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), that was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
1: Deaths From Five Type Of Cancers Is Higher Than The US
Researchers found that the rates of death from cervical cancer, breast, prostate and colon cancer are 2-9 times higher in the Caribbean compared to the United States. Only lung cancer was higher in the USA.
2: Prostate Cancer Accounted For A Significant Percentage Of Cancer Deaths
The study reported that prostate cancer, a common cause of death among Caribbean men, accounted for 18-47 percent of cancer deaths. In fact, researchers found that prostate cancer was the leading cause of death among men of African descent from the Caribbean.
3: Lung Cancer Was Second Highest Cause Of Cancer Deaths Among Men
Lung cancer accounted for 5-24 percent of cancer deaths and was the second highest cause of cancer deaths among Caribbean men.
4: Breast Cancer Is Main Cause Of Cancer Death Among Caribbean Women
Breast cancer was found to be the main cause of cancer death among females accounting for 14-30 percent of cancer deaths – two times higher compared to the USA.
5: Another Cancer Causing Deaths Is Colon And Rectum Cancer
The researchers found that for both men and women, colon and rectum cancers are the third most common cause of cancer death in the Caribbean.
6: Early Detection Can Help
The leading causes of cancer deaths in the Caribbean can be reduced through prevention, screening, early detection, and effective treatment for cervical, breast and colorectal cancers, researchers said. Prevention measures include avoiding use of tobacco, limiting alcohol use, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, keeping a healthy weight, and being physically active.
“The large number of deaths from these types of cancers is very alarming since they are mostly preventable. Breast cancer can be detected early and treated successfully. Cervical cancer is perhaps the most preventable through education, vaccination against the human papilloma virus (HPV), screening, early detection and treatment,” said Dr James Hospedales, Executive Director, Caribbean Public Health Agency.”Research has shown that adopting healthy lifestyle choices can contribute to the reduction of cancer cases and as a consequence deaths and costs from the disease in our region.”
