A Bermudian genome researching organisation helped to unveil a project designed to pinpoint the genetic factors that make Caribbean men prone to getting prostate cancer.

CariGenetics hosted the launch of the Caribbean Prostate Genetic Study in Saint Lucia, alongside GenTech Analytica and Laboratory Services and Consultations.

Carika Weldon, the founder of CariGenetics, underscored the importance of having genetic data from people in the Caribbean and changing the healthcare system accordingly.

She said: “We are putting a stake in the ground and saying we are here, not just for the Caribbean but by the Caribbean.

“Together, we can ensure the Caribbean is no longer an afterthought in medical research but a leader in precision medicine.”

Prostate cancer has been known to disproportionately affect men of African descent and has been a challenge to control in the Caribbean.

It targets 304 in every 100,000 men in Jamaica each year, while in Barbados it attacks 160 out of 100,000 men annually.

Yet more than 85 per cent global genomic databases that predict cancer rates are based off of genetic data from men of European descent.

The imbalance in representation has created a gap in understanding the genetic factors that affect Caribbean populations and how to assist them.

The Caribbean Prostate Genetic Study, designed to combat the lack of information, will involve 1,000 men across seven to ten islands in the Caribbean region this year.

Bermuda became the first island to be featured in the project and Saint Lucia has become the second. Antigua and Barbuda will join in February.

Devy Frederick, the founder of GenTech Analytica, said: “GenTech Analytica believes in the transformative power of predictive modelling to revolutionise healthcare in the Caribbean.

“The advanced technologies enable early detection and management of non-communicable diseases while providing critical insights into rare conditions, paving the way for a healthier future in our region.”

Didacus Jules, the Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, said that the project could empower the region to look after its own health.

Dr Jules said: “This is more than an unveiling — this is a rallying call for all of us to envision a future where science, technology for [the people] and community converge to redefine how we approach health and wellness.”