As Saint Lucia joins the global observance of World Cancer Day 2026 under the theme “United by Unique,” medical doctor and public health advocate Dr Tamara Remy is sounding a renewed alarm over the country’s persistent and growing cancer burden.
In a statement issued to mark the occasion, Dr Remy underscored that cancer incidence and mortality in Saint Lucia have shown no meaningful decline over the past decade, warning that without urgent and coordinated action, more lives will be lost.
Data from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs reveals that between 2015 and 2024, a total of 2,774 new cancer cases were recorded, averaging 276 diagnoses annually. During a similar period from 2014 to 2023, cancer-related deaths totaled 2,364—an average of 236 deaths per year.
According to Dr Remy, prostate and breast cancers continue to rank as the two most commonly diagnosed cancers in Saint Lucia, a trend that has remained consistent over several years. Other frequently diagnosed cancers include cervical, skin, uterine, colon, stomach, lung, multiple myeloma and brain cancers.
Of particular concern, Dr Remy highlighted a 20 per cent increase in cervical cancer diagnoses between 2023 and 2024, describing the rise as a clear signal that screening, prevention and early intervention efforts must be strengthened. While there has been a reduction in colon cancer diagnoses down 17 per cent among males and 44 per cent among females she cautioned that isolated improvements do not outweigh the overall national picture.
Cancer mortality data paints a similarly troubling scenario, with prostate and breast cancers leading cancer-related deaths, followed by colon, pancreatic, lung, stomach and cervical cancers. “These figures mean that the overall incidence of cancer in Saint Lucia has not decreased,” Dr Remy noted, adding that failure to act decisively will result in more diagnoses, more deaths, and deeper social and economic strain on families and communities.
Dr Remy stressed that the outlook is not hopeless, pointing to evidence that 30 to 50 per cent of cancers are preventable. She called for a stronger national focus on prevention, early diagnosis, education and advocacy, emphasizing that efforts must be united rather than fragmented.
She also urged government to strengthen the country’s cancer registry to capture data beyond incidence and mortality, noting that more comprehensive information is essential to guide national screening policies, treatment protocols and programme audits. Continued collaboration between government and civil society, she said, is critical to amplifying local cancer-fighting initiatives.
While acknowledging the progress made through Universal Health Care in expanding access to prostate, breast and cervical cancer screening in the public sector, Dr Remy said these services must be continuously evaluated to ensure efficiency and that national targets are being met.
At the individual level, she reminded Saint Lucians that personal lifestyle choices remain a powerful line of defense. Healthy diets, regular exercise, avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol, routine medical check-ups, vaccinations where appropriate, and effective stress management are all key components of cancer prevention.
As Saint Lucia observes World Cancer Day 2026, Dr Remy’s message is clear: every cancer journey may be unique, but the response must be collective. “We are united by our uniqueness,” she said, “and only by standing together can we change the trajectory of cancer in Saint Lucia.”
