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Prostate cancer affecting more men; more women overall affected by some form of the deadly disease

by Marlon Madden
4 min read
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As Barbados continues to face an increase in the number of overall cancer cases, one colon cancer survivor is urging residents to take the issue of early screening more seriously.

The latest report of the Barbados National Registry on cancer in Barbados showed that in 2015 there were some 1,030 cases of cancer reported, with prostate cancer remaining the cancer of greatest concern in men. Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract still represent many of the registered cases.

“Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract including cancers of the colon, rectum, and stomach, when grouped, account for 19 per cent of all malignant cancer diagnoses. Pancreatic cancer, which typically has poor outcomes, represents 2.5 per cent of cancers diagnosed in Barbados,” said the report.

Colon, rectum and stomach cancers account for the third, fourth and sixth most common cancers respectively in Barbados.

Of note, prostate, breast, and colon cancer cases remain the largest contributors to the cancer burden on the island, accounting for over 50 per cent of registered cases according to the registry.

The total number of cancer cases in women (544) has overtaken the total number of cancer cases in men (486) for the first time since the BNR has been reporting.

“A higher proportion of cancers occurred in women (53 per cent) relative to men (47 per cent). This is the first time in the years under review by the registry where this has occurred. The increase follows a rise in the number of breast cancer cases (197 in 2015, versus 151 in 2014 and 134 in 2013),” the report stated.

It noted that after prostate cancer, colon and lung cancer cases were more common in men.

Meanwhile, reported cervical cancer cases have decreased over the years 2014 and 2015, relative to 2013, and it is no longer one of the top five cancers in Barbadian women due to a progressive decrease in numbers.

The report noted that while there was a decrease in the mortality rate in 2015, due mainly to a reduction in the mortality rate for prostate cancer, these rates remain “double to triple” the observed rates in Latin American countries in 2015.

“While there was a decrease in deaths attributed to prostate cancer, it remains the most common cause of cancer deaths among men in Barbados. A sharp increase after age 45 is noted in prostate deaths, while breast cancer deaths gradually increase with age,” said the report.

“The risk of colon and prostate cancer deaths shows an increase in men after age 65. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death in both men and women. However, multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancer are of concern in the 65-74 and 75- 84 age groups respectively in women,” it added.

March is being recognised as colorectal cancer awareness month.

Colon cancer survivor and awareness advocate Graham Bannister told Barbados TODAY he continued to be concerned about the rising number of colorectal cancer cases (cancer of the colon and rectum) in Barbados, which rose from 104 in 2008 to reach 163 in 2015.

“Colon cancer doesn’t care how old you are, how young you are, where you live, it doesn’t care about your financial status, race, colour or creed and it is starting now to affect more younger people. It is also shown that within the next eight years colon cancer, which is now the number three most common cancer in the world and Barbados in particular, could go to being the number one killer,” he said.

Bannister, who was 55 when he was diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer in February 2018, said data also suggested that people were being diagnosed earlier and he believed early screening could help prevent cases and even death.

“So when you think of it, a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old child today could very well be in the next eight or nine years facing early onset colon cancer given these statistics and how they are going . So I am pushing for early testing, early screening and early awareness,” said Bannister, who recommends testing at age 40 or earlier if they are predisposed.

“In my research I see where persons who are 22 and 23 and 27 years old have not only colon cancer, but have stage 2 and stage 3 colon cancer, which seems to be more prevalent in younger persons. So it is something that affects everyone, but it is treatable, beatable and preventable,” he said.

Bannister said he believed a mixture of factors were responsible for the increase in colon cancer cases over the years including a change in lifestyle including a lack of exercise, eating habits and increases in stress factors.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

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