Cancer care systems across the Caribbean are grappling with mounting challenges, including delayed treatments, restricted access to advanced therapies, and a backlog exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These pressing issues were highlighted during the second day of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners’ Continuing Medical Education (CME) conference, themed *A Holistic Approach to Cancer Care*. Experts emphasized the need for innovative strategies to deliver high-quality care despite resource limitations. Dr. Kelly Alleyne-Mike, a prominent speaker at the event, underscored the scarcity of advanced cancer therapies in the region, noting that some treatments are ineffective at advanced disease stages, leaving patients reliant on private healthcare. She also pointed out that the pandemic worsened the situation, causing delays in diagnoses and treatments, which clinicians are now struggling to manage. However, Dr. Alleyne-Mike highlighted the potential of telemedicine to bridge gaps in care by enabling specialists to share expertise across borders. She also stressed the importance of lifestyle medicine in cancer survivorship, citing exercise, nutrition, and stress management as critical factors in improving patient outcomes. Dr. Jacqueline King, a registered physiotherapist, emphasized the often-overlooked role of physiotherapy in cancer care, advocating for its integration into treatment plans to enhance functionality and quality of life. The conference concluded with a consensus on the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and regional investment in training, equipment, and shared decision-making systems to achieve holistic cancer care in the Caribbean.
Caribbean cancer care, ‘under pressure, can work around’ treatment delays, shortages, say docs
