The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition has officially launched Saint Lucia’s National Cancer Registry, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the nation’s response to cancer through improved data collection, surveillance, and evidence-based decision-making. The cancer registry has been established through the collaboration of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition with key regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Caribbean Cancer Registry Hub, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

In her opening address, Dr. Michelle Francois spoke to the Importance of Cancer Surveillance and a National Cancer Registry, outlining how reliable data serves as the foundation of an effective national response to the burden of cancer. “Every cancer case reported contributes to a clearer understanding of the burden of cancer, strengthens our ability to plan effective prevention and control strategies and provides the evidence needed to improve patient care and health outcomes across our island. So as we officially launch this registry let us recognize that this is not the beginning of our journey but an important milestone in an ongoing process. Together we are strengthening the foundation for evidence based cancer prevention and control ensuring that the information we collect today will shape policies, better services and better outcomes for future generations.”

Underscoring the urgency of the initiative, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George pointed to cancer having a long-standing position as the country’s leading cause of death. “Malignant neoplasms has been the number one cause of mortality for the past 16 years. Not a statistic that we should accept lightly. It is a matter that demands our urgent and sustained attention because without accurate, comprehensive and timely data we’re really fighting this battle blindfolded. So the registry will ensure that we have the evidence to back our programs and also to allocate our resources strategically and effectively towards the reduction of morbidity and mortality secondary to cancers.”

Chatoyer Bobb, Senior Technical Officer at CARPHA, spoke to the meaning behind the launch, adding that CARPHA had carried out a full assessment of Saint Lucia’s cancer registration systems. “Today you are not launching a cancer registry. You are launching a promise, a promise to St. Lucian’s that every diagnosis will count, every case will teach you something, and every data set will inform a better decision, and every decision will bring you closer to saving lives.”