Dear Sir,

Thank you for publishing my recent Third Sector Spotlight article, “Cancer care built through connection and compassion”. I was encouraged to see readers engage with the topic, sharing both personal experiences and thoughtful questions about how cancer care is organised in Bermuda.

Several readers asked about the respective roles of Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, the Bermuda Hospitals Board and Pals, and how patients navigate the cancer system following a diagnosis. These are important questions.

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Beyond the medical concerns, people often find themselves asking: What happens next? Where will I receive treatment? What support is available to me and my family?

Cancer care is rarely delivered by a single doctor, department or organisation. It involves healthcare providers, charities and support services working together around the needs of the patient.

In Bermuda, this includes general practitioners (physicians), Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Pals, and a range of local and international healthcare partners. Each plays a different role, but all share the same goal: ensuring patients receive the care, treatment and support they need throughout their cancer journey.

The specific pathway for each patient depends on their diagnosis, treatment needs and individual circumstances. No two cancer journeys are exactly alike.

This is why co-ordination matters.

The goal is not to create a single organisation that does everything. The goal is to create a connected system of care that feels seamless to the patient.

For patients and families, what matters most is not who provides each service, but knowing that the right people are working together around their care.

At Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, our Cancer Navigator Service is available to help patients and families better understand their diagnosis, treatment options, available resources and next steps. Working alongside physicians and other healthcare providers, the service helps people access information, support and guidance throughout their cancer journey.

Behind the scenes, clinical teams from Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, the Bermuda Hospitals Board and Pals work closely together to support patients and families. Healthcare professionals meet regularly through multidisciplinary cancer care discussions to review cases, co-ordinate care and support treatment planning. When appropriate, input from international specialists is also incorporated. This collaborative approach helps to ensure patients benefit from local expertise, global knowledge and a co-ordinated approach to care while receiving as much of their treatment as possible close to home.

Over the past decade, Bermuda has made significant progress in expanding local access to cancer services and support. The introduction of local radiation therapy, strengthened local and international partnerships, multidisciplinary care discussions and enhanced patient support services has enabled more people to receive care close to home, surrounded by family, friends and their support networks.

Yet there is always more work to do. As cancer diagnoses increase and care becomes more complex, continued collaboration across healthcare providers, charities, government and the wider community will remain essential.

Ultimately, patients should not need to understand every part of the healthcare system to receive the care they need. Our responsibility is to work together so that patients feel informed, supported and connected throughout their journey.

Because cancer care is not defined by a single service or organisation, but by how well we work together around the people who need us most.

CHRIS FOSKER

Chief executive, medical director

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre