Dr. Denise Chevannes-Vogel (right), Jamaica Cancer Society's (JCS's) administrative director, speaking yesterday at the launch of cancer awareness month at the Society's office on Lady Musgrave Road, St. Andrew. Also in photograph (from left) are Dr. J. St. Elmo Hall, long-standing member of the JCS and Earl Jarrett, chairman. - Norman GrindleyPRELIMINARY DATA from the Jamaica Cancer Registry are indicating a more than 60 per cent increase in prostate cancer among Jamaican men and also an increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in women. The data indicate a nearly 20 per cent increase in colorectal cancer in women.
Earl Jarrett, Jamaica Cancer Society's (JCS) chairman, said yesterday, at the launch of Cancer Awareness Month, that while the 63.7 per cent increase in prostate cancer was high, the data could be indicating that more men were being screened as a result of more public education campaigns.
However, he said the growing incidence of colorectal cancer could point to dietary deficiency and perhaps a change in the dietary patterns of Jamaicans. Between 1988 and 1992 the incidence of colorectal cancer among women was 172 per 100,000; this figure has moved to 204 per 100,000. The data for men (over the same period) is 143 per 100,000 to the current 144 per 100,000.
International studies indicate that colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum) occurs infrequently in countries with high intakes of fibre. Jamaicans normally get their fibre from ground provisions (such as coco, yam, dasheen) and fibre is also found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grain.
"The risk factors for colorectal cancer include a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Inflammatory bowel disease has also been associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. Other possible risk factors include physical inactivity, high-fat and/or low-fibre diet," said Dr. Denise Chevannes-Vogel JCS's administrative director.
While the data indicate these alarming increases in prostate and colorectal cancers, the preliminary data also point to an increasing trend in the incidence and mortality of other cancers among Jamaicans. Among women, for instance, breast cancer increased by 7.7 per cent and cervical cancer increased by 6.2 per cent. Among men, lung cancer increased by 13.7 per cent and colorectal cancer increased by 0.7 per cent.
With this month's focus on early detection, the JCS said they will be doing much more to encourage Jamaicans to do the cancer screening test. There has been a decline in clients accessing screening which Mr. Jarrett said could be related to knowledge, access to screening, the Jamaican economy and job losses.
"Job losses affect especially our screening in the garment industry because we used to visit job sites but now these women have gone into the communities," he said.
