Hope Institute Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica; Jamaica Cancer Care and Research Institute, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
Lancet Oncol. 2019 Sep;20(9):e503-e521. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30512-1. Epub 2019 Aug 5.
Cancer causes a fifth of deaths in the Caribbean region and its incidence is increasing. Incidence and mortality patterns of cancer in the Caribbean reflect globally widespread epidemiological transitions, and show cancer profiles that are unique to the region. Providing comprehensive and locally responsive cancer care is particularly challenging in the Caribbean because of the geographical spread of the islands, the frequently under-resourced health-care systems, and the absence of a cohesive approach to cancer control. In many Caribbean countries and territories, cancer surveillance systems are poorly developed, advanced disease presentations are commonplace, and access to cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment is often suboptimal, with many patients with cancer seeking treatment abroad. Capacity building across the cancer-control continuum in the region is urgently needed and can be accomplished through collaborative efforts and increased investment in health care and cancer control.
癌症导致加勒比地区五分之一的人死亡，其发病率正在上升。加勒比地区癌症的发病和死亡模式反映了全球广泛的流行病学转变，并显示出该地区特有的癌症特征。由于岛屿的地理分布、卫生保健系统资源经常不足，以及缺乏对癌症控制的协调一致的方法，在加勒比地区提供全面和有针对性的癌症护理特别具有挑战性。在许多加勒比国家和领土，癌症监测系统发育不良，晚期疾病很常见，癌症筛查、诊断和治疗的机会往往不理想，许多癌症患者在国外寻求治疗。该地区急需在癌症控制全范围内进行能力建设，这可以通过协作努力和增加对卫生保健和癌症控制的投资来实现。
