The burden of prostate cancer in Trinidad and Tobago: one of the highest mortality rates in the world.

PURPOSE: In Trinidad and Tobago (TT), prostate cancer (CaP) is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancer deaths among men. TT currently has one of the highest CaP mortality rates in the world. METHODS: 6,064 incident and 3,704 mortality cases of CaP occurring in TT from January 1995 to 31 December 2009 reported to the Dr. Elizabeth Quamina Cancer population-based cancer registry for TT, were analyzed to examine CaP survival, incidence, and mortality rates and trends by ancestry and geography. RESULTS: The age-standardized CaP incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000) based on the 1960 world-standardized in 2009 were 64.2 and 47.1 per 100,000. The mortality rate in TT increased between 1995 (37.9 per 100,000) and 2009 (79.4 per 100,000), while the rate in the US decreased from 37.3 per 100,000 to 22.1 per 100,000 over the same period. Fewer African ancestry patients received treatment relative to those of Indian and mixed ancestry (45.7%, 60.3%, and 60.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the limitations surrounding data quality, our findings highlight the increasing burden of CaP in TT and the need for improved surveillance and standard of care. Our findings highlight the need for optimized models to project cancer rates in developing countries like TT. This study also provides the rationale for targeted screening and optimized treatment for CaP to ameliorate the rates we report.

Examining HPV- and HPV vaccine-related cognitions and acceptability among US-born and immigrant hispanics and US-born and immigrant non-Hispanic Blacks: a preliminary catchment area study.

PURPOSE: Disparities in HPV vaccination exist. Therefore, we investigated the distinction and disparities in HPV- and HPV vaccine-related cognitions and acceptability among US-born African Americans (AA) and Black immigrants, and between US-born Latinas and Latina immigrants. METHODS: Secondary data analyses were conducted with 383 female adults divided into non-Hispanic Blacks-(1) AA born in the US (n = 129) and (2) Black immigrants (n = 53), and Hispanics-(3) Latinas born in the US (n = 57) and (4) Latina immigrants (n = 144). HPV-related cognitions are assessed by measuring HPV-related knowledge and HPV vaccine-related awareness, beliefs, accessibility, and acceptability. RESULTS: Black and Latina immigrants were less likely to know where they can get/refer for HPV vaccine (p = .007) than their US-born counterparts. Latina immigrants were less likely to have heard of HPV vaccine (p = .033), know where they can get more information about HPV vaccine (p = .045), and know where they can get/refer for HPV vaccine (p = .001) than US-born Latinas. Both immigrant groups (Black: p = .046; Latina: p = .044) were more likely to report cost concerns than their counterparts. US-born AA were the least likely to endorse HPV vaccine safety (31.0%) and efficacy (39.7%), whereas US-born Latinas endorsed efficacy (63.2%) but less safety (44.6%). Overall, vaccine acceptability was low across all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Group disparities in HPV vaccine cognitions emerged, but they all had notable HPV vaccine acceptability (safety and efficacy) barriers. HPV vaccine safety and efficacy were highly unfavorable in US-born AA. The HPV vaccine safety concerns are demonstrated with only 31-54% reporting that the "HPV vaccine is safe"-potentially increasing their risk of HPV vaccine negation. With regards to HPV vaccine efficacy, only 40-63% of this study population endorsed HPV vaccine efficacy. Additionally, immigrants reported greater HPV vaccine cost barriers and healthcare access concerns-increasing their risk for HPV vaccine naiveté. Therefore, our findings on HPV vaccine cognitions and acceptability can inform targeted strategies to increase vaccination among US and immigrant Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks who are at elevated risk for HPV-related cancers.

Gynecologic cancer mortality in Trinidad and Tobago and comparisons of mortality-to-incidence rate ratios across global regions.

PURPOSE: To examine the factors associated with gynecologic cancer mortality risks, to estimate the mortality-to-incidence rate ratios (MIR) in Trinidad and Tobago (TT), and to compare the MIRs to those of select countries. METHODS: Data on 3,915 incident gynecologic cancers reported to the National Cancer Registry of TT from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2009 were analyzed using proportional hazards models to determine factors associated with mortality. MIRs for cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers were calculated using cancer registry data (TT), GLOBOCAN 2012 incidence data, and WHO Mortality Database 2012 data (WHO regions and select countries). RESULTS: Among the 3,915 incident gynecologic cancers diagnosed in TT during the study period, 1,795 (45.8%) were cervical, 1,259 (32.2%) were endometrial, and 861 (22.0%) were ovarian cancers. Older age, African ancestry, geographic residence, tumor stage, and treatment non-receipt were associated with increased gynecologic cancer mortality in TT. Compared to GLOBOCAN 2012 data, TT MIR estimates for cervical (0.49 vs. 0.53), endometrial (0.61 vs. 0.65), and ovarian cancers (0.32 vs. 0.48) were elevated. While the Caribbean region had intermediate gynecologic cancer MIRs, MIRs in TT were among the highest of the countries examined in the Caribbean region. CONCLUSIONS: Given its status as a high-income economy, the relatively high gynecologic cancer MIRs observed in TT are striking. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved cancer surveillance, screening, and treatment for these (and other) cancers in this Caribbean nation.

Advancing Cancer Control Through Research and Cancer Registry Collaborations in the Caribbean.

BACKGROUND: Few national registries exist in the Caribbean, resulting in limited cancer statistics being available for the region. Therefore, estimates are frequently based on the extrapolation of mortality data submitted to the World Health Organization. Thus, regional cancer surveillance and research need promoting, and their synergy must be strengthened. However, differences between countries outweigh similarities, hampering registration and availability of data. METHODS: The African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3) is a broad-based resource for education, training, and research on all aspects of cancer in populations of African descent. The AC3 focuses on capacity building in cancer registration in the Caribbean through special topics, training sessions, and biannual meetings. We review the results from selected AC3 workshops, including an inventory of established cancer registries in the Caribbean region, current cancer surveillance statistics, and a review of data quality. We then describe the potential for cancer research surveillance activities and the role of policymakers. RESULTS: Twelve of 30 Caribbean nations have cancer registries. Four of these nations provide high-quality incidence data, thus covering 14.4% of the population; therefore, regional estimates are challenging. Existing research and registry collaborations must pave the way and are facilitated by organizations like the AC3. CONCLUSIONS: Improved coverage for cancer registrations could help advance health policy through targeted research. Capacity building, resource optimization, collaboration, and communication between cancer surveillance and research teams are key to obtaining robust and complete data in the Caribbean.

Heterogeneity in head and neck cancer incidence among black populations from Africa, the Caribbean and the USA: Analysis of cancer registry data by the AC3.

BACKGROUND: Africa and the Caribbean are projected to have greater increases in Head and neck cancer (HNC) burden in comparison to North America and Europe. The knowledge needed to reinforce prevention in these populations is limited. We compared for the first time, incidence rates of HNC in black populations from African, the Caribbean and USA. METHODS: Annual age-standardized incidence rates (IR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) per 100,000 were calculated for 2013-2015 using population-based cancer registry data for 14,911 HNC cases from the Caribbean (Barbados, Guadeloupe, Trinidad & Tobago, N = 443), Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, N = 772) and the United States (SEER, Florida, N = 13,696). We compared rates by sub-sites and sex among countries using data from registries with high quality and completeness. RESULTS: In 2013-2015, compared to other countries, HNC incidence was highest among SEER states (IR: 18.2, 95%CI = 17.6-18.8) among men, and highest in Kenya (IR: 7.5, 95%CI = 6.3-8.7) among women. Nasopharyngeal cancer IR was higher in Kenya for men (IR: 3.1, 95%CI = 2.5-3.7) and women (IR: 1.5, 95%CI = 1.0-1.9). Female oral cavity cancer was also notably higher in Kenya (IR = 3.9, 95%CI = 3.0-4.9). Blacks from SEER states had higher incidence of laryngeal cancer (IR: 5.5, 95%CI = 5.2-5.8) compared to other countries and even Florida blacks (IR: 4.4, 95%CI = 3.9-5.0). CONCLUSION: We found heterogeneity in IRs for HNC among these diverse black populations; notably, Kenya which had distinctively higher incidence of nasopharyngeal and female oral cavity cancer. Targeted etiological investigations are warranted considering the low consumption of tobacco and alcohol among Kenyan women. Overall, our findings suggest that behavioral and environmental factors are more important determinants of HNC than race.

Prostate cancer characteristics and survival in males of African Ancestry according to place of birth: data from Brooklyn-New York, Guyana, Tobago and Trinidad.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer mortality rates for African-Americans are much higher than Caucasians and a similar trend is observed for prostate cancer survival. Data on recently immigrated African-descent men are lacking. METHODS: Using cancer registry data from Brooklyn, NY and two countries in the Caribbean (Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago), survival rates were estimated. We also examined whether Black race or Caribbean birthplace predict prostate cancer survival among males living in the United States (US). RESULTS: The Caribbean cases were diagnosed at a later age than those in the US (Guyana: 74.5 years, Trinidad and Tobago: 72.4 years, Brooklyn: 65.8 years). Patients in the Caribbean had a worse 5-year survival rate compared to those in the US (41.6% vs. 84.4%) but for immigrant Caribbean-born males living in the US the 5-year survival rate was not significantly different from African-Americans (78.1%, 95% CI: 70.9-83.7% vs. 81.4%, 95% CI: 69.5-89.1%, P = 0.792). The risk of death for Caribbean-born was more than three times higher than US-born men (HR: 3.43, 95% CI: 2.17-5.44, adjusted for ethnicity, stage, and mean age of diagnosis). A mean age of diagnosis >65 years old and stage IV disease, but not ethnicity, were found to be independently associated with the risk of death. CONCLUSION: The survival disadvantage for Caribbean-born patients may be partly due to later diagnosis. Interventions focused on screening, education about the disease and early detection could potentially reduce cancer mortality in this population.

Breast cancer survival in women of African descent living in the US and in the Caribbean: effect of place of birth.

In order to shed light on genetic and environmental factors contributing to breast cancer health disparities, anonymous data from the cancer registry in Brooklyn, NY and two countries in the Caribbean, have been analyzed and compared. De-identified data were obtained on 3,710 women from three cancer registries in Brooklyn (New York), Guyana, and Trinidad, all having been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1995 and 2007, with follow-up through to early 2009. There was a significant difference in breast cancer survival according to race, place of birth, and place of residence. Women of African origin had a significantly worse survival than White women. Women born in the Caribbean had significantly worse survival in comparison to their counterpart born in the US, independently from their ethnic background (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1). A significant lower breast cancer survival was observed in African Caribbean women living in the Caribbean (HR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.6-2.1) versus African-Caribbean women born in the Caribbean and living in the US (HR: 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.7), versus African-descent women born and living in the US. This study suggests that biological, behavioral, environmental, and clinical factors play a significant role in the observed difference in breast cancer outcome in women of Afro Caribbean descent.

Breast cancer clinical characteristics and outcomes in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is the country with the highest breast cancer mortality in the Caribbean. It is unknown whether biological, behavioral, environmental, or clinical factors play a significant role in such outcome. A total of 2,614 incident cases, histologically confirmed and recorded in the TT cancer registries between 1995 and 2005, with follow-up through 2009 were analyzed. Half of the cases were diagnosed between the ages of 40-59 years, 12.5% before the age of 40 years; 45% of women were diagnosed at localized stage and 43.7% were hormone receptor positive. Women diagnosed with distant staging were more likely to undergo chemotherapy compared to those with localized staging (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.01-1.89). Hormone receptor negative cases were significantly less likely to undergo radiation or surgery therapy (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.56-0.79 and OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.51-0.88 respectively) compared to those who were hormone receptor positive, but more than 1.5 times as likely to undergo chemotherapy. In multivariate analyses, advanced stage disease and negative hormone receptor status were independently significantly associated with poorer survival outcome. No racial/ethnic differences were observed with respect to treatment or survival. Although access to breast cancer screening and treatment is free in Trinidad and Tobago, breast cancer diagnosis occurs at advanced stages; use of multimodality therapy as a first course of treatment is low.

Associations among ancestry, geography and breast cancer incidence, mortality, and survival in Trinidad and Tobago.

UNLABELLED: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common newly diagnosed cancer among women in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and BC mortality rates are among the highest in the world. Globally, racial/ethnic trends in BC incidence, mortality and survival have been reported. However, such investigations have not been conducted in TT, which has been noted for its rich diversity. In this study, we investigated associations among ancestry, geography and BC incidence, mortality and survival in TT. Data on 3767 incident BC cases, reported to the National Cancer Registry of TT, from 1995 to 2007, were analyzed in this study. Women of African ancestry had significantly higher BC incidence and mortality rates ( INCIDENCE: 66.96; MORTALITY: 30.82 per 100,000) compared to women of East Indian ( INCIDENCE: 41.04, MORTALITY: 14.19 per 100,000) or mixed ancestry ( INCIDENCE: 36.72, MORTALITY: 13.80 per 100,000). Geographically, women residing in the North West Regional Health Authority (RHA) catchment area followed by the North Central RHA exhibited the highest incidence and mortality rates. Notable ancestral differences in survival were also observed. Women of East Indian and mixed ancestry experienced significantly longer survival than those of African ancestry. Differences in survival by geography were not observed. In TT, ancestry and geographical residence seem to be strong predictors of BC incidence and mortality rates. Additionally, disparities in survival by ancestry were found. These data should be considered in the design and implementation of strategies to reduce BC incidence and mortality rates in TT.

Geographic and outcome variation among black men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer among men worldwide. We have previously reported that prostate cancer survival rates for Caribbean-born males in the US was similar to survival rates of African-Americans and was higher than their counterparts diagnosed in the Caribbean. However, it is not clear whether differences in mortality could be attributed to differences in treatment. METHODS: This current analysis seeks to further explore reasons for the geographic variation of prostate cancer survival for Caribbean-born men. This analysis included 2,554 Black newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases (960 cases diagnosed in the US and 1,594 cases diagnosed in the Caribbean). Clinical data were extracted from the cancer registry and clinical charts. RESULTS: There were noted differences in the pattern of treatment for each place of birth category when stratified according to disease stage at diagnosis. Among the patients diagnosed with early-intermediate disease (stage I-III) the majority of US-born Brooklyn men were treated with surgery only (31%) and a similar pattern was observed for Caribbean-born Brooklyn men (35%). In contrast, the majority of Caribbean-born Trinidad & Tobago men were treated with hormone therapy (31%).Caribbean-born men diagnosed in the Caribbean had a significantly higher risk of death from prostate cancer (Adjusted Hazard [AdjHR]: 3.7, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.8-5.0) when compared with the risk of death for Caribbean-born males diagnosed in the US. This observation was consistent for each treatment group with the exception of the cases treated with hormone therapy only. For these cases, there was no difference in the risk of death between Caribbean-born males diagnosed in the Caribbean (AdjHR: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.8-2.6) compared to Caribbean-born males diagnosed in the US. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to difference in access and utilization of screening, differences in treatment strategy may also be a strong predictor of outcome for Caribbean-born males diagnosed with prostate cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. In addition, other environmental factors related to survival that was not considered in this analysis also need to be investigated.