Over the years, cancer has been a leading cause of death in The Bahamas. The island of Eleuthera is no exception. Research conducted by Dr Judith Hurley, Medical Director of the Hematology/Oncology Clinics and the Medical Oncology Consultant for the Taylor Breast Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, indicates that The Bahamas’ incidence of inherited breast cancer, recorded to be between 24-27%, is twice as high as the highest rate recorded in high risk groups around the world. Statistics reveal that 43% of Bahamian women diagnosed with breast cancer die before the age of 50 while the average age of death in American women is 65.
The One Eleuthera Foundation and its partners are working diligently to effectuate change so as to reduce these alarming results. All efforts lead toward decreasing the rate of such diseases with our “Pathway to Wellness” initiatives. Board members and volunteers donate their time freely to the advancement of OEF’s mission and have an impressive track record which confirms their dedication and contributions to its success. Due to partner efforts more persons are stepping up and are more open about discussing their diagnosis. However, Eleuthera is still experiencing remarkably high rates of late stage diagnosis, which confirms the need for and our desire to provide further community outreach.
Provide outreach services to communities throughout Eleuthera, which will assist in increasing the population’s knowledge of cancer and other life threatening diseases, promote early detection, provide aid in the treatment of and recovery from such ailments, support cancer patients and their families to help them cope with the disease and keep a record of their interactions with cancer patients to aid in the accumulation of accurate cancer statistics for Eleuthera.
Decrease the high rate of women affected by breast cancer
Promote early detection to reduce late stage diagnosis throughactivities that will educate the public about cancer, early detection, treatment and survival
Develop a database for the collect of data on Eleutheran women who have or those at high risk for developing cancer for the production of local statistics to determine cancer trends
Appoint a fulltime staff member as Community Outreach Coordinator (COC) to ensure the above goals and objectives are met
Susan G. Komen
Cancer Society of Eleuthera
Rotary Club of Eleuthera
Emory University Nell Hodgsen Woodruff School of Nursing
Department of Public Health
