The Tribune

On Tuesday January 31, the Cancer Centre Bahamas, (TCC), launched a full day cancer clinic in Providenciales to provide care to the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Over 20 patients were seen by Professor Arthur T Porter, director of the centre, and his team, which included Dr. Sam Kellini, clinical oncologist and Nurse Tanya Nixon. The relationship underpinning the first clinic was developed by Dr. Porter and Dr. Conville Brown, CEO of the Cancer Centre and the Medical Pavilion Bahamas, along with InterHealth Canada, the organisation responsible for the delivery of tertiary health care services on behalf of the government of the TCI. The monthly clinic provides full outpatient evaluations for new cancer patients and the onward referral of complex chemotherapy and radiation therapy cases to Nassau for care. Simple chemotherapy is managed locally at the newly built hospital in Providenciales. Professor Porter described the concept of the clinic as a method to ensure the very best of cancer care to the population of TCI, delivered by the Cancer Centre (Bahamas), the only facility accredited by the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) in the Caribbean. Dr Brown said that apart from the medical benefits, the TCI Cancer Clinic held by TCC demonstrated how win-win regional relationships can be achieved. Over the last year, TCC (Bahamas) has developed strong relationships in Trinidad, and in Antigua where a brand new cancer centre will break ground later this year. The next clinic in TCI will be held on Monday, February 27, 2012. The TCC will also hold a public lecture in Provo, which will be given by Professor Karol Sikora, director of medical oncology and Professor Arthur Porter, on 'Cancer, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention".