The Bahamas faces a critical health challenge as the absence of a national breast cancer screening policy continues to expose women to the risks of late diagnoses, warns Consultant Surgical Oncologist Dr. Wesley Francis. Despite some stabilization in recent years, the country still records some of the highest breast cancer rates in the region. Dr. Francis’s remarks coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, which highlights the urgent need for early detection and intervention. Data from the Bahamas National Cancer Registry reveals that the incidence rate peaked at 103.6 per 100,000 in 2018 and 101 in 2019, before dropping to 71 in 2020 due to reduced screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates have since stabilized between 65 and 77 per 100,000. Dr. Francis emphasized that while the registry’s data collection has improved, breast cancer screening in the Bahamas remains opportunistic, with no formal guidelines mandating mammograms at specific ages. This lack of policy leaves many women unscreened until they discover lumps, shifting the focus from prevention to diagnosis. Dr. Francis called for stronger public education and a nationwide screening program to ensure earlier detection, particularly as breast cancer in the Bahamas tends to affect younger women, often between 40 and 50 years old, compared to 60 to 70 in the United States. He attributed this trend to genetic factors prevalent in the country. A survival analysis of 960 cases diagnosed since 2018 revealed a median age of diagnosis at 57, with 68% of patients over 50. At the time of review, 22% of patients had died, with an average survival of 62 months and a five-year survival rate of 74%. The study underscored that while breast cancer remains a significant national concern, improving early detection and treatment access could enhance outcomes.
Failure to implement national breast cancer screening leaves Bahamian women at risk
