A forum will be held on World Cancer Day, Thursday, 4 February, to offer healthcare professionals as well as members of the public the opportunity to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on cancer care in the Cayman Islands.
The theme of this year’s World Cancer Day is “Cancer care during COVID-19,” and the forum, to be held at 5:30 in the evening at the Wharf Restaurant, will explore disruptions in cancer care due to the pandemic. The forum reflects an effort to mitigate the problems that have already occurred and to allow relevant parties to discuss their concerns regarding the pandemic’s effect on cancer care.
Cancer care specialists, members and leaders of cancer support groups, and cancer patients have all been affected by COVID-19. The forums scheduled to take place on World Cancer Day will give everyone affected by the pandemic an opportunity to participate in problem-solving processes while improving their understanding of the challenges at hand.
As a result of COVID-19, essential healthcare services for cancer patients have been reorganised so to prevent exposure to the novel coronavirus. In the Cayman Islands, the restrictions put into place due to the pandemic reduced the amount of cancer screenings that could take place and raised concerns of missed cancer diagnoses at the earliest stages.
Cancer-related charitable organisations will be present at the forum as well as cancer patients and survivors of cancer. Together, attendees will learn more about the reductions in cancer care service due to the pandemic as well as approaches to mitigating and managing the challenges presented by COVID-19. Healthcare professionals who attend will receive one continuing medical education credit.
Despite fewer cancer registrations during the months of April, May, and June of 2020, the Cancer Registry reports a 40% increase in registration for the year 2020 compared to 2019. The Registry encourages patients and survivors to join the national registry through a voluntary and confidential process and provide the Registry with valuable information about their diagnoses. This diagnostic data is then used to inform medical professionals about cancer trends in the Cayman Islands.
