Consultant gastroenterologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr Avonello Maynard, is seeking to set the record straight on long-standing misconceptions surrounding colorectal cancer—it has no link to sexual lifestyle practices.
Speaking at the Caribbean Colon Cancer Initiative’s open day at the QEH on Friday, Dr Maynard stressed that colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Barbados, yet screening rates remain dangerously low.
“Education is key,” he said. “People need to know at what age they should be screened, why they should be screened, and understand that this affects both men and women equally.”
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Barbados, trailing only behind breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
“That’s why screening is so critical,” Dr Maynard stressed. “Right now, only about 25 per cent of cases are detected through screening, which is far too low. Ideally, over 65 per cent of cases should be caught through early detection.”
This lack of early screening has had dire consequences, he said.
“More than 70 per cent of our patients are diagnosed only after the cancer has spread beyond the bowel. By then, we’re not talking about curing them; we’re talking about prolonging life with additional therapy,” the gastroentologist said.
Even more troubling, he noted, “A quarter of those patients already have cancer in their lungs and liver, and for them, unfortunately, it’s just palliative care.”
International research has shown that colorectal cancer is becoming more prevalent in younger individuals, a trend Dr Maynard attributes to modifiable risk factors such as diet, obesity, and lack of physical activity. As a result, the recommended age for screening has been lowered from 50 to 45.
“We’ve seen a worrying rise in cases of rectal and colon cancer in younger people,” he said. “This is why the screening age has been adjusted. But whether you’re a man or a woman, the message is the same – you must get screened.”
Dr Maynard also tackled the lingering stigma around colorectal cancer screening, particularly among men, some of whom associate the procedure with invasive or uncomfortable connotations.
“There is a big reluctance, especially among men, because of certain misconceptions,” he admitted. “Some believe that having a tube inserted for screening is tied to issues of masculinity. This is a dangerous myth because delaying screening means detecting cancer too late.”
The specialist also dismissed any connection between sexual behaviour and colorectal cancer, stressing that the well-documented risk factors “include age, family history, inflammatory bowel disease, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise. Sexual practices have no bearing on your likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.”
Dr Maynard pointed out that screening is available at no cost to public patients at the hospital.
“The government covers these procedures because prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment. Barbados ranks third in the Caribbean and Latin America for colorectal cancer cases and mortality. We spend an enormous amount of money treating advanced cases—but if we invest in screening and early detection, we can save both lives and resources.”
He reinforced the importance of removing pre-cancerous growths early.
“Cancer starts as a small lesion called a polyp. If we catch it in time and remove it, you won’t develop cancer at all. That’s the goal of screening,” Dr Maynard said, urging Barbadians to take their health seriously.
“Colorectal cancer does not discriminate. If you have a colon, you are at risk. Let’s put aside the myths, educate ourselves, and get screened.”
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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