The current state of prostate cancer in Antigua & Barbuda-2021.

ABSTRACT

Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation within the Caribbean where the men are predominantly of African descent. The burden of prostate cancer is therefore expected to be similar to regional counterparts. There has been very little research done on prostate cancer in this nation. Few published peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed documents exist to guide prostate cancer management and policy. A review of the available literature and the author's experience managing prostate cancer in the country was used to provide a synopsis of prostate cancer management in the country. All aspects of the prostate cancer care pathway exist in Antigua and Barbuda from public awareness and screening campaigns to external beam radiotherapy, abiraterone acetate and hospice care. There are still limitations to accessing some aspects of the care pathway such as prostate biopsies, radical prostatectomies and newer imaging modalities for staging. Data collection and analysis will help to provide objective and quantitative evidence of the nation's prostate cancer management capabilities. Other developing nations will face many of the same challenges managing prostate and other cancers and this shared experience may be particularly useful for comparing and contrasting purposes. It also provides a documented milestone on which future plans can be made to improve care and shape national policy.