Tracy Moore
Barbados will soon resume radiation therapy for cancer patients with the reactivation of its upgraded treatment facilities – a development oncologist Dr Lalitha Sripathi says is both urgently needed and only one part of what must become a much broader, whole-person approach to cancer care.
Speaking on Day One of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners’ (BAMP) annual conference, Dr Sripathi confirmed that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is preparing to restart services using its new Halcyon linear accelerator.
“This is our high-end linear accelerator machine… capable of providing a wide range of modern radiation treatments… with better imaging, better accuracy, faster treatments,” she explained.
But even as she welcomed the return of advanced radiation therapy, Dr Sripathi cautioned that technology alone will not solve Barbados’ growing cancer burden. She said the country must shift toward a holistic model of cancer care: one that supports patients medically, emotionally, socially and spiritually.
She said, “When we are talking about holistic care, we are focused not just on the patient’s symptoms and disease management physically. We want to address all aspects of patients’ health.”
She explained that cancer patients need mental health support, nutritional guidance, physical activity, rest, and spiritual grounding, alongside strong family and community involvement.
“We also want to address their emotional needs… their spiritual needs… and we also want to work on a social level by getting their family involved,” she added.
Dr Sripathi pointed to National Cancer Registry data showing: “Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of new cancer cases that are detected each year.”
In 2022, Barbados recorded over 1,100 new cancer cases and more than 700 cancer-related deaths. Prostate, breast and colorectal cancers remain the most common, and the deadliest.
“Considering the growing incidence of cancer and the fact that cancer is responsible for quarter of deaths in the region, it has now become a national health priority.”
Dr Sripathi stressed that many cancers share modifiable risk factors: unhealthy diets, processed foods, high sugar intake, alcohol, tobacco, obesity and physical inactivity.
“Studies have shown that if these risk factors are taken care of, then 40 per cent of these cancers can be prevented.”
She said prevention is far less expensive and resource-intensive than treatment and must be prioritised.
While breast and cervical cancer screening has improved, in part due to NGO outreach, colorectal cancer screening remains significantly underutilised.
“About just 25 per cent of the cases are detected by screening, and majority are detected much later with advanced presentations,” she pointed out.
She attributed this in part to stigma: “There appears to be some stigma associated with the colonoscopy procedure being invasive.”
Promoting the low-cost, non-invasive FIT test may increase participation, she suggested.
Dr Sripathi noted that Barbados continues to expand precision oncology and biomarker-driven treatment. But she warned: “The only issue is that the treatments are expensive… the cost and availability of these treatments… continues to be a significant challenge.”
As patients live longer with cancer, survivorship care must address long-term physical and emotional effects.
She said, “Most of our patients… live longer, so they tend to deal with issues from the cancer-related treatments and the problem itself.”
She called for stronger coordination between oncology services, primary care and NGOs.
On palliative care, she stressed: “The sooner it is started… the better… it can result in better adherence to treatment… ultimately resulting in better outcomes.”
Dr Sripathi acknowledged ongoing challenges in Barbados, which include workforce shortages, inequitable access, inconsistent psychological support, the need for standardised screening protocols, and better cancer registry data. Yet she ended with optimism.
“Although it is a long journey, we are in the right direction… and I am hopeful towards the future with our dedicated health care team, the government support and enhanced public-private partnerships.”
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