What is Cancer?

Cancer
a term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control
and can invade normal tissues. (NCI Dictionary)

 was recognized in ancient times by skilled observers who gave it

the name cancer (L.cancri, crab) because it stretched out in many
directions like the legs of a crab.
The Term Cancer
 is an “umbrella” word used to describe a group of more than 100

diseases in which cell multiply and spread without restraint,

interrupting normal body physiology and causing life- threatening

complications.
Classifications
Cancers are classified by type of tissue from which they arise (e.g.
Glandular, connective) (Mc Cance et al., 2010).
Other ways to classify cancer include biologic behavior, anatomic
site, and degree of differentiation.

About 100 different types of cancer arise from various tissues or

organs.
 Estimated New Cases (American Cancer Society, 2010)
MALES FEMALES
Breast 230,480 930%)
Prostate 240, 890 (29%)

Lung and bronchus 115,060 Lung and bronchus 106,070

(14%) (14%)
 Colon and rectum 69,360 (9%)
Colon and rectum 71,850 (9%)

Urinary bladder 52,020 (6%) Uterine corpus 46,470 (6%)

Estimated Deaths (American Cancer Society, 2010)
MALES FEMALES

Lung and bronchus 71,340 (26%)

Lung and bronchus 85,600 (28%)

Breast 39,520
Prostate 33,720 (11%)

Colon and rectum 25,250 (8%) Colon and rectum 24,130 (9%)

Pancreas 19,360 (6%) Pancreas 18,300 (7%)

The Dr. Elizabeth Quamina Cancer Registry
of Trinidad and Tobago
was established in September 1994.
Distribution of female cases for the top ten cancers
in Trinidad and Tobago

35.0 PERCENTAGE (%)

30.0

25.0

20.0

15.0 PERCENTAGE (%)

10.0

5.0

0.0
BREAST CERVIX COLON & UTERUS OVARY LEUKAEMIA PANCREAS BRONCHUS LYMPHOMA STOMACH OTHER/
UTERI RECTUM & LUNG UNKNOWN
SITES
 Distribution of male cases for the top ten cancers
in Trinidad and Tobago
PERCENTAGE (%)
45.0

40.0

35.0

30.0

25.0

20.0
PERCENTAGE (%)
15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0
PROSTATE COLON & BRONCHUS LEUKEMIA PANCREAS STOMACH LYMPHOMA LARYNX ORAL CAVITY BLADDER OTHER &
RECTUM & LUNG & SALIVARY UNKNOWN
GLAND
 Cancer a Caribbean
Perspective
DID YOU KNOW THAT CANCER IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF

DEATH IN THE CARIBBEAN.

 Issues In Relation to Cancer
 Health

Social

Gender

Political
Private Cancer Centres In T&T
The Brian Lara Cancer Treatment Centre of Trinidad and Tobago
located in Port of Spain is now accepting patients for the most
advanced form of radiation treatment available.

Southern Medical Clinic provides both chemotherapy and

radiotherapy

Southern Medical Oncology Centre located at 26-34 Quenca St

Trinidad San Fernando