More than 12,000 people died from cancer in Trinidad & Tobago between 1997 and 2006 and nearly 20,000 cancer cases were reported in the same period.
Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan revealed the figures Sunday to highlight the extent to which the disease affects citizens and said treatment for cancer patients will get the highest national priority.
"Males outnumbered females for both new cases, which stood at 10,243 and deaths at 6,893. The statistics for females were 9,590 new cases and 5,750 deaths," the minister stated noting that the global forecast is that cancer will afflict 11 million people by 2030.
Khan was speaking to members of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (TTMA) and the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences at the First Oncology Update Conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain.
He said early diagnosis and treatment are critical in reducing mortality from cancer. He also announced that a dedicated Breast Cancer Clinic will soon open at the National Radiotherapy Centre.
The Minister said the Ministry of Health is currently partnering with the private sector to ensure that eligible patients benefit from the free modern linear accelerator radiation therapy treatment through a referral process coordinated by the Ministry.
Khan also announced some administrative changes that he will soon make to the delivery of health services. This includes reducing the n umber of Regional Health Authorities from five to two. He said there is likely to be one in the north and the other in south Trinidad.
Khan also said he wants to dedicate one hospital for training doctors and nurses.
He noted that all these changes may require approval from the legislature, since the RHAs were established by a special Act of Parliament.
The minister also spoke of plans to work in partnership with the private sector to improve the country's health services.
"We are in the final stages of a plan to design, build and operate private health facilities," he said, adding the Ministry will soon hold discussions with key stakeholders in the private sector.
"Males outnumbered females for both new cases, which stood at 10,243 and deaths at 6,893. The statistics for females were 9,590 new cases and 5,750 deaths," the minister stated noting that the global forecast is that cancer will afflict 11 million people by 2030.
Khan was speaking to members of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (TTMA) and the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences at the First Oncology Update Conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain.
He said early diagnosis and treatment are critical in reducing mortality from cancer. He also announced that a dedicated Breast Cancer Clinic will soon open at the National Radiotherapy Centre.
The Minister said the Ministry of Health is currently partnering with the private sector to ensure that eligible patients benefit from the free modern linear accelerator radiation therapy treatment through a referral process coordinated by the Ministry.
Khan also announced some administrative changes that he will soon make to the delivery of health services. This includes reducing the n umber of Regional Health Authorities from five to two. He said there is likely to be one in the north and the other in south Trinidad.
Khan also said he wants to dedicate one hospital for training doctors and nurses.
He noted that all these changes may require approval from the legislature, since the RHAs were established by a special Act of Parliament.
The minister also spoke of plans to work in partnership with the private sector to improve the country's health services.
"We are in the final stages of a plan to design, build and operate private health facilities," he said, adding the Ministry will soon hold discussions with key stakeholders in the private sector.
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