Cayman Islands Publishes First National Cancer Policy to Standardise Screening

The Cayman Islands has published its first National Cancer Policy, establishing a national framework to strengthen cancer prevention, screening, early detection, diagnosis, and ongoing care across the Islands.

A key aim of the policy is to standardise cancer screening across the Cayman Islands, helping to ensure that people receive consistent, evidence-based services regardless of where they access care. The policy outlines at what age an individual should be screened, how often and the testing method that should be used for colon (bowel), female breast and cervical cancer screening.

Presently, these are the only three types of cancer for which effective population screening approaches have been evidenced.

The policy adopts United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Quality Standards and Guidelines as a foundation for standardising clinical pathways and supporting high- quality cancer care. This provides healthcare professionals with nationally recognised, evidence- based guidance across the cancer care pathway.

Minister for Health, Environmental & Sustainability, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks MP, said: “The publication of the Cayman Islands’ very first national Cancer Policy marks a historic milestone in our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our people. This groundbreaking policy establishes a robust, evidence-based framework aimed to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and early detection, with an initial focus on bowel, cervical and female breast cancer. It is crucial to recognise that cancer affects individuals, families and communities across our Islands. Therefore, strong governance and collaboration , along with a steadfast focus on prevention, must remain at the forefront of our efforts. This policy reflects our commitment to building a proactive, patient-centred healthcare system that improves outcomes through prevention.”

“As we move forward with implementation of the national Cancer Policy, the Government is also advancing work on a Cancer Registry Bill. A White Paper will first be shared with the public to outline the proposed approach and provide an opportunity for community input, this includes feedback from cancer patients and their families, healthcare practitioners and other stakeholders, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in this important initative.”

Chief Officer, Ms. Tamara Ebanks also recognised the amount of effort that was required to complete the Cancer Policy; “I thank everyone who contributed to the development of this important policy and look forward to continuing this work with our partners and the wider community as we strengthen cancer care, improve outcomes and build a healthier, stronger and more resilient Cayman Islands.”

Emphasising the critical role of early detection and evidence-based screening plays in improving patient outcomes, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hilary Wolf said; “Cancer outcomes are strongly influenced by when the disease is detected and acted upon. The earlier cancer is identified, the greater the opportunity for effective treatment and improved survival. This policy provides a standardized  guideline by aligning our approach with internationally recognised, evidence-based practices and ensuring that screening recommendations are applied consistently across the Cayman Islands. It also reinforces the importance of prevention, timely diagnosis and coordinated care, while giving healthcare professionals and the public greater clarity and confidence in the pathways designed to achieve the best possible health outcomes.”

National Screening Recommendations The policy establishes population screening recommendations for colorectal (bowel), cervical, and female breast cancer, selected based on their prevalence and the effectiveness of available screening tools.

Colorectal (bowel) cancer: Adults aged 45–74 are recommended to have a FIT test (also known as a “faecal immunochemical test”) every two years or colonoscopy every 10 years.

Cervical cancer: Women aged 24½–64 are recommended to have HPV (“Human Papillomavirus”) testing every five years, with cytology triage where indicated. Catch-up HPV vaccination is offered at the first appointment where required.

Female breast cancer: Women aged 40–74 are recommended to have mammography every two years. Additional screening may be recommended by radiology where breast density requires further assessment.

The policy supports consistent standards across the health system. All individuals in the recommended screening age groups are encouraged to discuss their eligibility and screening options with their General Practitioner (GP). Your GP will help direct you to the appropriate service for the type of screening you require. Cervical cancer screening can also be conducted by a women’s health provider or a GP.

The National Cancer Policy will be monitored and reviewed as evidence, clinical practice, and international standards evolve, with other cancers remaining under consideration for future population screening recommendations.

The publication of the policy marks an important step towards a consistent, coordinated, and evidence-based national approach to cancer screening and care, supporting earlier detection, high- quality clinical management, and improved outcomes across the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Islands National Cancer Policy can be found on the publications page of the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability website located at www.gov.ky/mhes