Cancer and inaction

Feb 05, 2026 Editorial, News

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(Kaieteur News) – World Cancer Day observed on Wednesday should not be reduced to ribbon-wearing and rehearsed speeches. It should be a national wake-up call. The latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) paint a sobering picture: cancer is tightening its grip globally and closer to home, but a significant share of this suffering is preventable. What is missing is urgency, education and decisive action.

According to a new WHO analysis, up to four in ten cancer cases worldwide could be prevented. In 2022 alone, some 7.1 million new cases, 37 percent of the global total — were linked to avoidable causes such as smoking, alcohol use, obesity, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation and cancer-causing infections. Tobacco remains the biggest killer, responsible for 15 percent of new cancer cases globally. Infections account for another 10 percent, with stomach cancer largely driven by Helicobacter pylori and cervical cancer overwhelmingly caused by HPV.

These are not abstract statistics. They describe real people, real families and real suffering and many of these cases never needed to happen. Closer to home, CARPHA’s figures are even more alarming. Cancer is now the second leading cause of death in the Caribbean, behind only cardiovascular disease. In 2022, the region recorded an estimated 119,000 new cases and more than 66,000 cancer-related deaths. Even more troubling is the projection that cancer cases in Latin America and the Caribbean will rise by a staggering 69 percent by 2045, driven by ageing populations and continued exposure to risk factors.

The Caribbean also carries some of the world’s heaviest cancer burdens. Several regional countries rank among the highest globally for prostate cancer incidence, while Jamaica, The Bahamas and Barbados sit near the top of global cervical cancer mortality rankings. This is not just a health problem, it is a development crisis that threatens productivity, household stability and national healthcare budgets.

For Guyana, these numbers must trigger action, not complacency. Too many people still avoid routine medical checks until symptoms become unbearable. By then, cancers are often detected late, when treatment is more expensive, less effective and emotionally devastating. Early screening saves lives. Pap smears, prostate screening, breast exams, colon checks and routine blood work are not luxuries, they are survival tools. Citizens must take responsibility for their own health by scheduling regular check-ups, adopting healthier diets, exercising, quitting smoking, moderating alcohol intake and demanding better healthcare services.

But responsibility does not rest on individuals alone. Government has a duty to create an environment where prevention is possible and treatment is accessible. WHO’s findings show that policy matters. Strong tobacco control, alcohol regulation, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, improved air quality standards and safer workplaces can dramatically reduce cancer risk. These measures require political will, not just policy documents gathering dust on shelves.

CARPHA has stressed the importance of strong cancer surveillance systems. Without reliable data, governments are essentially operating blind. The upcoming Cancer Incidence in the Caribbean, Volume I report, which includes Guyana, is a crucial step forward. But data must lead to action. It must shape national cancer control plans, guide resource allocation and identify gaps in screening and treatment services. There is also an urgent need to expand access to affordable diagnostic services and modern treatment options. Too many Guyanese still face long waiting times, limited oncology services and heavy out-of-pocket expenses. Palliative care remains underdeveloped, leaving families to shoulder emotional and financial burdens alone. Cancer care should not depend on who you know or how much money you have. World Cancer Day’s theme, “United by Unique,” reminds us that every patient’s journey is different. But it also underscores the need for people-centred health systems that place patients and families at the heart of care. That means better education campaigns in schools and communities, mobile screening units in rural and hinterland areas, stronger partnerships with NGOs, and consistent public health messaging that goes beyond one-day observances.

The science is clear. Nearly four out of every ten cancer cases can be prevented. The Caribbean’s cancer crisis is growing. Guyana cannot afford to sit back and watch this silent epidemic claim more lives. Prevention, early detection and accessible treatment must become national priorities not seasonal slogans. Cancer is not inevitable, but at the same time citizens must not delay action and ignore warning signs and the government must not underinvest in healthcare.

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• cancer, CARPHA, World Cancer Day, World Health Organization

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