By S.Browne. Updated 12:58 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Vincentians are being encouraged to take part in an important regional cancer research initiative aimed at improving cancer care outcomes across the Eastern Caribbean.
The study, known as Cancer in Small Island Developing states of the Eastern Caribbean (CaSIDEC), is a five-year, multi-centre research project being conducted in six Caribbean islands (Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines). The study includes three years of active data collection, followed by two years of data analysis and dissemination of findings.
The research seeks to document the experiences of 650 cancer survivors across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), with 100 participants required from each participating country. The study will explore how receiving cancer care overseas affects patient outcomes in small island developing states, while also examining factors such as treatment delays and the availability of social support systems.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, field investigators Dr. Tami K. Williams and Esther L. Appiah will be conducting interviews with patients and caregivers, as well as collecting relevant medical records. Dr. Williams also serves as a co-lead on the study’s steering committee, alongside Dr. Jozelle Miller.
The CaSIDEC study is being led by the Vaughan A. Lewis Institute for Research and Innovation (VALIRI) in collaboration with regional cancer support groups.
VALIRI, established in 2016 by the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in Saint Lucia, is a multidisciplinary research institute focused on advancing sustainable social and economic development through research and innovation.
Participants in the study include individuals 18 years and older who are currently undergoing cancer treatment, as well as caregivers, including family members and loved ones of cancer patients and survivors. Interviews will be conducted using either electronic or paper-based formats.
Researchers say the study builds on a previously funded pilot project in Saint Lucia, which examined the care pathways of 50 cancer survivors. The expanded regional study aims to identify trends and patterns that can strengthen cancer prevention, control, and care delivery across the region.
All information collected will be kept anonymous and confidential and used solely for research purposes. The study also aims to recruit a diverse sample of participants from both community settings and hospitals or clinics to ensure comprehensive and impactful results.
Individuals or medical institutions interested in participating in the study are encouraged to contact 1 784 493 4008. Tokens will be provided to participants.
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