Bridgetown, Barbados – February 14th, 2025 (PAHO). The PAHO/WHO Barbados country Office demonstrated its love for staff by hosting a cancer awareness virtual session on Valentine’s Day, in recognition of World Cancer Day which is recognized globally on February 4th.
Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, Advisor, NCDs and Mental Health for PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and the ECC, hosted the virtual event which featured speakers Dr. Gloria Giraldo, Advisor, NCDs and Mental Health for the PAHO/WHO Subregional Office, and Dr. Jo-Anne Brathwaite-Drummond, Consultant Psychiatrist with the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados.
Dr. Giraldo shared the Latin America and the Caribbean Cancer Code. She highlighted some best practices and simple lifestyle changes that can help to reduce risk.
- Do not smoke (including e-cigarettes as this can lead to cigarette use)
- Keep a smoke free home, including smoke emitted when cooking
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight
- Get daily physical activity (an added tip – park a distance away from your destination and walk there)
- Eat a healthy diet: use smaller quantities, include fruit and vegetables with meals, and avoid processed foods, sugars and beverages that are too hot
- Avoid alcohol
- Breast feed babies
- Protect yourself from direct sun exposure
- Avoid indoor air pollution
- Note that stomach infections from certain bacteria can lead to stomach cancer
- Viruses such as Hepatitis B and C, HPV and HIV can cause cancer, so screening and vaccination are recommended
- Hormone replacement therapy can cause breast cancer and should only be used if one is directed to do so by a health care professional
- Screening is key – colon, rectum, breast, HPV
Dr. Brathwaite-Drummond gave a presentation on the importance of managing the mental health of cancer patients.
“Fifty percent of cancer patients will have a mental disorder, usually anxiety and depression,” she disclosed.
Dr. Brathwaite-Drummond added that a person with cancer and untreated anxiety and depression is at a higher risk of dying from cancer.
The consultant psychiatrist highlighted the importance of managing mental health through a case study of two friends, both diagnosed with cancer. One friend refused to acknowledge her developing mental health condition, post her cancer diagnosis and did not seek mental health intervention. Despite having a good initial prognosis, she ultimately experienced a decline in both her mental and physical health, leading to her premature death. In contrast, the other friend sought mental health support while undergoing cancer treatment, which contributed to her overall well-being and improved health outcomes.
Participants were reminded of the link between genetics and cancer and early screening was emphasized.
Dr. Brathwaite-Drummond spoke of the importance of mental health services at the community level. She commended PAHO for the mhGAP training saying: “It works!”. The mhGAP is designed to increase access to mental health services by training primary care health workers.
The WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) aims to upgrade services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders especially for low- and middle-income countries. The programme asserts that with proper care, psychosocial assistance and medication, millions can receive the necessary mental health care.
