Only one quarter of colorectal cancer detected through screening

By Tracy Moore

Only a quarter of colorectal cancer cases in Barbados are currently detected through screening, according to data presented by oncologist Dr Lalitha Sripathi during Day One of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners’ (BAMP) annual conference.

Sharing insights from clinicians involved in screening, Dr Sripathi said uptake remains low despite the availability of testing services: “About just 25 per cent of the cases are detected by screening, and the majority are detected much later with advanced presentations.”

Cancer accounts for a quarter of all deaths in Barbados, with colorectal cancer being one of Barbados’ three most common cancers, alongside prostate and breast cancer.

Dr Sripathi, who is the head of the Oncology Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, noted that overall cancer incidence in Barbados has been rising steadily.

“Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of new cancer cases that are detected each year,” she pointed out, adding that the data from the Barbados National Cancer Registry shows that in 2022, over 1 100 new cancer cases were diagnosed and more than 700 cancer-related deaths were recorded.

“The most common cancers that are seen in the region are prostate, breast and colorectal cancers… and the mortality…also follows the same pattern.”

Dr Sripathi said that one factor affecting participation is hesitation around colonoscopies, noting that “there appears to be some stigma associated with the colonoscopy procedure being invasive.”

This reluctance, she explained, affects how early cancers are discovered.

To address screening hesitancy, Dr Sripathi suggested increased public promotion of the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) – a non-invasive alternative test already available at the QEH.

“Maybe then if we can promote the FIT test, which is cheaper and non-invasive, that might then help us boost the colorectal cancer screening,” she added. The FIT test can be done at home and may encourage more people to participate in routine screening.

She emphasised that screening must be connected to timely follow-up so patients receive the care they need as early as possible, because “early detection should be followed by early treatment for us to have better outcomes.”

She said establishing standardised, nationwide screening pathways would strengthen colorectal cancer management and improve patient outcomes.