Targets Cervical – By Jeressa Jeremy
Targets Cervical Cancer Elimination
Cervical cancer cases in Antigua and Barbuda currently remain more than double the threshold required for national elimination. While World Health Organization (WHO) standards mandate an incidence rate of fewer than four cases per 100,000 women, local health officials report approximately 10 new referrals annually, signalling a critical need for expanded screening and vaccination.
Dr Cherie Tulloch indicates that the strategy to eliminate the disease relies on the 90-70-90 roadmap.
These targets focus on vaccination, screening, and treatment to prevent the late-stage diagnoses currently seen in local hospitals.
Dr Tulloch notes that the current number of referrals to the oncology unit represents a significant challenge for the national elimination plan, as many women are only identified once the disease has progressed.
“It means that we have to do our part so that we can have a healthy nation,” Dr Tulloch explains. “By 2030, we want to ensure that 90% of our girls are vaccinated, 70% of our women are screened, and 90% of those who have the disease are treated.”
Reaching these pillars requires the public to utilize available health services, starting with the HPV vaccination which is provided free of charge for youth aged nine to 14 at all community clinics.
Women between the ages of 21 and 65 can access standard Pap smears at all public health facilities, while those aged 30 to 65 are encouraged to utilize high-performance HPV DNA testing available at the Villa Polyclinic on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1p.m.
Wellness therapist Rosette Bedminster-Gayle suggests that medical screening must be supported by community-level lifestyle changes. She introduced the concept of “Purposeful Sleep”—the practice of going to bed with the intention of resting even if one does not feel tired.
“It’s a scenario where you are not feeling sleepy, but you go to bed, you turn off your phone,” Bedminster-Gayle explains. “You meditate, and eventually you’ll fall asleep. It’s a good habit to develop.”
She emphasizes that this is not just about rest, but about the discipline required to maintain the body’s defenses.
“You have to be intentional about your health routines,” she states. “It is easy to neglect these things when you feel fine, but the body needs that dedicated time to recover and stay strong.
We must treat sleep as a priority, not an option, because a well-rested body is your first line of defense.”
Bedminster-Gayle further explains that “purposeful” action extends to nutrition and mental health. She notes that high-stress levels and poor dietary habits can compromise the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to clear infections like HPV.
“If you don’t take the time to be well, you will be forced to take the time to be ill,” she cautions.
The success of the national plan depends on the public utilizing preventative tools before physical symptoms appear. For three-year survivor Carol Ann Cabral, the diagnosis followed a year of persistent, heavy bleeding that was initially misattributed to small fibroids.
“The blow was hard; it was real hard,” Cabral recalls of the moment her biopsy confirmed Stage 2 cervical cancer. “But I woke up one day and said, you know what? I’m not going to let this defeat me. I’m going to win this.”
Cabral’s recovery involved a rigorous clinical course, including chemotherapy and radiation followed by specialized internal radiation, known as brachytherapy, in Suriname.
She notes that the process resulted in “chemo brain”, a side effect that causes significant memory lapses while performing daily tasks and conversations.
Beyond the clinical challenges, Cabral emphasizes the power of community and a positive mental state in overcoming the illness. She credits the “Cancer Support Group” and the encouragement of family members as essential factors in her survival.
“It is very important to have that support,” Cabral states. “It may just be a family member or just a friend just calling you and asking, ‘how are you doing today?’ That kind of support, it is important.”
Today, Cabral uses her experience to serve others as a professional caretaker, turning her journey into a source of community strength.
“I’m urging the women out there, get yourself checked. Do not wait for the pain,” Cabral states. “The pain often means it has already moved too far. We women of today are so caught up in the world—hair, nails—that we forget about ourselves and our health. You have to go while you feel healthy so you can stay healthy.”
