Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC) is helping shape regional conversations about improving access to specialist cancer care following Dr Chris Fosker's participation in the 14th Caribbean Association of Oncology and Haematology (CAOH) Annual Scientific Conference, held in Trinidad and Tobago. 

Dr Fosker, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Director and Clinical Oncologist at BCHC, was invited to present Innovating for Access: Delivering Specialist Oncology Care in a Generalist Environment, sharing how Bermuda has developed a sustainable model that enables patients to receive high-quality specialist cancer care locally while remaining connected to leading international centres of excellence. 

The annual conference brings together oncologists, haematologists, researchers and healthcare leaders from across the Caribbean to share advances in cancer treatment, strengthen regional collaboration and explore solutions to common healthcare challenges. 

In addition to delivering his presentation, Dr Fosker was invited to moderate the conference's Breast Cancer scientific session, recognising his expertise within the regional oncology community. Throughout the conference, he also participated in discussions with international organisations, including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), while building new relationships with clinicians from across the region. 

His presentation explored one of the greatest challenges facing modern cancer care. While advances in diagnostics and treatment continue to improve outcomes, increasing sub-specialisation has concentrated expertise within a relatively small number of major academic centres, creating inequalities in access for patients worldwide.

Drawing on BCHC's experience, Dr Fosker demonstrated how strategic partnerships, local clinical leadership and carefully designed care pathways can overcome these barriers, allowing patients to receive specialist oncology care close to home without compromising quality. 

This collaborative approach reflects BCHC's role within Bermuda's cancer pathway, bringing together local healthcare providers, international clinical partners and community organisations such as PALS to deliver coordinated, patient-centred cancer care. From breast cancer screening and diagnosis to multidisciplinary team meetings that bring specialists together to develop treatment recommendations for all cancers, and through medical oncology, radiation therapy, patient navigation and survivorship support, BCHC works to ensure people in Bermuda have equitable access to expert cancer care close to home whenever possible. 

Rather than requiring patients to travel overseas for specialist expertise, the Bermuda model focuses on bringing expertise to patients through trusted international partnerships, multidisciplinary collaboration, investment in local capability and evidence-based decision making. 

The presentation also highlighted BCHC's long-standing partnerships with organisations including Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, demonstrating how international collaboration can strengthen local healthcare systems and allow more patients to receive world-class cancer care while remaining close to home. 

The impact of Bermuda's work was evident beyond the conference itself. Following Dr Fosker's presentation, oncologists from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Jamaica and The Bahamas expressed interest in continuing discussions and exploring future opportunities for collaboration. 

The relationships established during CAOH have already created further opportunities for BCHC to contribute to international discussions on the future of cancer care.

Dr Fosker said: 

"One of the key messages from my presentation was that innovation only has value if patients can access it. Our responsibility is not simply to develop new approaches to cancer care, but to find innovative ways of making high-quality, specialist care available closer to where people live. 

The conversations throughout the conference reinforced that many Caribbean nations face similar challenges. By sharing knowledge, building trusted partnerships and learning from one another, we can strengthen cancer care across the region while improving outcomes for our own communities. 

It was incredibly rewarding to see Bermuda's experience resonate with colleagues and to know that the work being done at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre may help inform future cancer services beyond our own shores." 

In a further demonstration of BCHC's growing regional influence, Dr Stephen King, one of the clinical leaders supporting the development of Saint Lucia's national cancer pathway, referenced the Bermuda model in a policy presentation prepared for the country's Ministry of Health. His presentation identified Bermuda's approach as evidence that small island jurisdictions can successfully deliver specialist oncology services through strong national leadership supported by regional and international partnerships. 

The conference reflects the Centre's commitment to strengthening cancer care in Bermuda while advancing it across the region. 

"Everything we do begins with improving outcomes for people in Bermuda. Whether that means investing in new technology, strengthening partnerships or sharing knowledge internationally, our focus is always the same: ensuring people in Bermuda have access to exceptional cancer care. 

We believe collaboration makes every health system stronger. By sharing knowledge, learning from others and contributing our own experience, Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is helping improve cancer care both at home and across the Caribbean." 

The same collaborative approach attracting interest across the Caribbean is the approach BCHC applies every day in Bermuda, working alongside healthcare partners to ensure patients have equitable access to exceptional, evidence-based cancer care. 

Participation in forums such as CAOH reflects Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre's commitment to ensuring patients in Bermuda benefit from the very best international thinking while also contributing to the advancement of cancer care across the Caribbean. Through collaboration, innovation, research and trusted partnerships, BCHC continues to demonstrate that small jurisdictions can make a meaningful contribution to improving cancer care regionally and beyond.