The Division of Health, Wellness and Family launched Tobago’s Breast Cancer Research Project this morning (December 10).

The research is expected to help the Division better understand the challenges the island faces with breast cancer and to reduce the number of cases.

The title of the study is “Molecular Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Tobago – Identifying Challenges and Opportunities”. Leading the study is Dr. Adana Llanos of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, along with Tobago-born Dr. Wayne Warner of Washington University School of Medicine, a PHD candidate researcher.

Local research assistants will be trained from December 10-13 to support data collection and records for the project.

In February 2017, the Executive Council approved the collaboration among the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development, Washington University School of Medicine and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey to conduct the first-ever epidemiological study of breast cancer in Tobago.

The study will span 18 months.