Cancer patients and advocates in Barbados are grappling with heightened distress and uncertainty as the commissioning of a state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) faces yet another delay, now pushed to the end of November. The postponement has exacerbated concerns over access to life-saving treatments, particularly amid a lack of official communication. Vincent Yearwood, Interim Coordinator of the Men’s Cancer Support Group, expressed frustration, noting that the $10-million linear accelerator, crucial for high-precision radiation therapy, remains non-operational despite being delivered to Barbados last year. Yearwood revealed that at least one patient has been forced to seek treatment in Trinidad, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by those in urgent need. QEH spokesman Shane Sealy attributed the latest delay to construction adjustments, citing a two-millimeter floor discrepancy that required correction to meet the machine’s exacting specifications. While the adjustments have been completed, the installation is now slated for completion by late November. The delay has drawn sharp criticism from Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw, a breast cancer survivor, who emphasized the urgency of the situation during a parliamentary debate. Bradshaw lamented the loss of lives due to the delay, urging health authorities to expedite the process. Health Minister Davidson Ishmael acknowledged the setbacks, attributing them to the complexities of constructing a specialized facility for the radiation equipment. Meanwhile, the Barbados Cancer Society has raised alarms over the rising incidence of colon cancer, with prostate cancer remaining the most prevalent and aggressive form among men in the country.