“We can be proud of the point we have reached,” said the oncologist, who took over as CEO of Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, an independent, not for profit, this April.

“We have all the pillars of treatment here in Bermuda, excellent surgeons, strong diagnostics, effective chemotherapy, and advanced radiation. So, as an island, we have what is needed to treat cancer.

“But that’s different from treating the whole human being. What we really need to do now is expand and make sure we’re looking at mental health and recovery, so that we’re building people back up again we have treated cancer effectively. Getting people back to normal.”

This holistic approach is already commonplace in larger jurisdictions, but to make it happen in Bermuda, health professionals need to spend more quality time getting to know their patients.

“You really need to sit with people and understand, either as a doctor or a psychologist or a physio, what they need to get back to being normal again,” Dr Fosker said.

Since arriving from Britain at BCHC as medical director in 2016, the doctor has observed this personal aspect is particularly significant in Bermuda.

“You need trust in the personal relationship to be a good doctor, no matter where you are. But in Bermuda, it’s so personal, it’s so close,” he said.

“What is different is the people. You see the people everywhere you go. I pop down to Miles or Lindo’s and I won’t be able to make it round without saying hi to a patient.

“It really holds you accountable. You can’t have a bad day at work in Bermuda. You shouldn’t have a bad day anywhere, but in Bermuda, you are going to see that person somewhere else, and you are going to see their family.

“It adds massive pressure, but positive pressure, to not let up at any point, to not cut corners. We have that personal mission to want to make a massive difference, while at the same time knowing you’ve got responsibility to so many people in Bermuda. That responsibility also drives our commitment to equal access, ensuring no one is turned away because of cost. It’s what keeps it challenging, interesting and scary sometimes.”

Dual role

Dr Fosker praised his predecessor Lynne Woolridge for “laying a wonderful platform” before handing over the reins.

The difference now is that Dr Fosker retains his medical director role and keeps clinical practice while juggling CEO responsibilities, which reflects the BCHC model of combining medical leadership with organisational strategy.

It means he can make decisions with the benefit of his own frontline observations.

He explained: “Bermuda is unique, and this is a unique role that I think fits with Bermuda. It’s certainly what I think we need at the Centre to help us get our next growth opportunities right.

“We’re not trying to be the expert in everything – we’re trying to surround ourselves with brilliant people. And I’m surrounded by brilliant people here, from the leadership group to the professionals who are delivering the care.”

One challenge in Bermuda is the constantly fluctuating state of healthcare.

“Some of it is completely out of anyone’s control,” Dr Fosker said. “We are so small, and geographically isolated. This is a tough place to live, intensified by the coming and going of people and services.

“Cancer care is a hugely long pathway. There are so many touch points for patients, they need to see multiple professionals in a cancer diagnosis. If you’re missing one of these professionals it fractures the pathway, and that in turns fractures trust in the system, which fractures trust in the relationship between the patient and the doctor, and then the patient and the system.

“It’s very frustrating and upsetting when a certain pathway just vanishes even for a short time. However, we are fully aware of that challenge, that so much more could be done to plan ahead, to have good structures.

“My hope, by taking this role, is that I can be more influential in making decisions for long-term success and in turn ensure BCHC remains a constant presence in Bermuda’s cancer care, bridging gaps where possible through partnerships and long-term planning.”

Thinking differently

Another priority is getting the prevention message across.

“We need to find a different way of impacting people’s brains to help them make decisions that are good for them,” Dr Fosker said.

“Sometimes humans are wired to make bad decisions. It’s about trying to change that. That comes down to prevention and education.

“For whatever reason, people are hesitant of check-ups – men in particular. We do our bit at the Centre by taking away the financial barrier, but we’re still trying to find out why people still choose not to see their doctors.”

The existing process of telling people to eat well, exercise and get checked up is not helping enough, he said.

“Prevention, education and early detection are a massive area we want to focus on. Absolutely, you should do everything we said before: get your check-ups, see your GP, get your screenings, think about what you eat, support our events because they really make a difference to the equal access fund.

“But we also need to stop repeating the same approaches and instead think differently about how to help people stay healthy.”

The onus will be on everyone in our society to heed the messaging because cancer ultimately impacts us all.

Dr Fosker is no different.

“I remember saying I’ve been lucky as I haven’t really been touched by cancer that much in my family,” he said.

“But then I thought about it. My mom’s had cancer, my uncle’s had cancer. I had a good friend die of cancer in their 20s, and I’ve just had two of my best friends from med school diagnosed with cancer.

“As an oncologist, you suddenly realise you’ve got that association from your job to your life and, although you treat the two things differently, yes, it completely impacts you and it reinforces why BCHC’s mission matters so deeply.”

The post Building people back up appeared first on RG Magazines.

There’s another data set that’s just as striking, yet far more uplifting.

It’s a breakdown from Bermuda Health and Cancer Centre of the support it received from the community in 2024, amounting to 467 volunteer hours donated and $1.7 million raised.

Those efforts enabled 2,084 individuals to benefit from the charity’s Equal Access Fund, which removes financial barriers for patients.

Deborah Titterton Narraway, the centre’s chief marketing officer, said: “Every year, Bermudians show up as teams, workplaces, families and friends and turn generosity into care.

“In 2024, community giving helped to power Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s mission so that no one delays screening, diagnosis or treatment because of cost.”

Addressing the community, she added: “Simply put: your giving creates our impact.”

Ms Titterton Narraway explained that in 2024 the centre subsidised $1.8 million worth of clinical services for those 2,084 patients, some of whom had no insurance and some whose health insurance did not cover the full cost of care.

“Even when an insurer indicates 100 per cent coverage, this usually refers to 100 per cent of their capped allowance, which may only cover a portion of the actual service cost,” she said.

“The centre bridges that gap so patients can focus on their wellbeing rather than worrying about how to pay.”

Although it was a great year for fundraising, there was a shortfall between what was raised and what needed subsidising.

“We have never had a year when we’ve raised enough money to cover everybody’s equal access,” she added. “We do it by managing our cashflow month to month.”

Showing up to support

The centre raises funds in many ways but best-known are the annual events that have become a staple of the island’s calendar.

One such is the 18-hour Relay for Life, presented by Liberty Mutual Bermuda, with its poignant luminaria, representing those affected by cancer, lighting up the track.

The May 2024 event raised $739,738 and included 107 teams, 2,376 participants and 2,503 general admissions.

With 100 per cent of the event costs covered by sponsors, every team dollar could be used to support care via the Equal Access Fund.

Other highlights last year were the BF&M Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, which raised $170,237; AXA XL Man on the Run 5K, which raised $39,244, with a record 423 males taking part; and MOvember Bermuda, which raised $74,389 for men’s health.

A very tangible outcome of the 2024 fundraising done is a new mammography unit which has replaced the centre’s ageing machine.

“It has now been purchased, installed and is up and running,” said Ms Titterton Narraway. “We don’t waste time on putting the money to good use.”

She said some of last year’s donations went towards “unrestricted support” giving the centre “flexibility to upgrade equipment, invest in technology and build staff capability where it’s needed most”.

Just as important is cancer prevention education which, she added, “delivers evidence based programmes to thousands in our community in schools, workplaces and the community to lower risk and catch cancer earlier”.

The centre was able to reach 3,056 people through cancer prevention programmes in 2024, with another 7,000-plus able to view cancer prevention messaging at its events.

Beyond the large-scale events, people gave in other lasting ways, such as by paying for a commemorative tile in the centre’s entryway.

Dates for your diary

Fundraising continues apace in 2025, with this year’s Relay for Life having raised $786,756 to date.

October 15 will see the 29th annual BF&M Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, while MOvember Bermuda will be on November 1 and the AXA XL Man on the Run 5K on November 9.

Ms Titterton Narraway said donor support in the coming years would “directly fuel expanded patient services, including cancer navigation, investment in new medical equipment, renovations to existing facilities to accommodate changes and the Equal Access Fund”.

She urged the community: “Form a team. Sponsor an event. Add a tile. Make a gift. Rally your colleagues. Every action, large or small, helps a neighbour get timely screening, accurate diagnosis and world-class treatment close to home.”

Helping out Pals

Another charity helping those affected by cancer had what its executive director called a “record-breaking year” in 2024-25 “thanks to the incredible generosity of the Bermuda community”.

Colleen English DeGrilla, of Pals Cancer Care in Bermuda, said: “Our annual raffle reached new heights, selling 7,583 tickets, the most ever.

“This year, with 54 prizes on offer, our goal is to sell 9,000 tickets, every one helping to support cancer patients and their families.”

She said the Pals Annual Walk in February was “our most successful to date, with over 1,373 participants joining to celebrate survivors, honour those living with cancer and remember loved ones lost.

“To top it off, the event was named Best Charity Event in the Best of Bermuda Awards.”

Ms English DeGrilla added: “The Pals thrift shop continues to flourish and is already raising vital funds for our work and was proudly awarded Best Thrift Shop.

“March saw the debut of our Pals Electric Raffle, another tremendous success.”

Ms English DeGrilla said the charity was “always moved by individuals who run, bike or swim in memory of loved ones to raise money for Pals. Every effort, big or small, helps to sustain our services. That support is vital.”

Pals relies on fundraising to cover its daily operations, from its physician, six nurses and social worker to its small, dedicated staff.

It also funds courses like the Integrative Oncology Programme, which teaches a holistic approach to cancer care, focusing on nutrition, movement, emotional wellbeing and spiritual health.

Ms English DeGrilla said: “None of this would be possible without the generosity of local businesses, our tireless volunteers and the groundswell of community support.”

The charity hopes the community will continue to support the work of Pals by buying a raffle ticket, joining the next annual walk, shopping at the thrift shop or volunteering.

“Every contribution makes a lasting impact,” she said. “Together, we can continue to support cancer patients and their families when they need it most.”

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For his sister Pamela and niece Sharon, his death marked the end of a long and painful journey through cancer – one that tested their resilience, their faith and the bonds of family.

Pamela remembers the first time she truly understood what her brother was facing.

“I knew my brother was sick,” she said, “but I didn’t realise how sick.”

Walter had quietly battled prostate cancer for years. He travelled for treatments, including surgery in Boston, often without fully disclosing the severity of his condition.

“He didn’t let anybody know. He had been traveling, but he just kept the ‘why’ to himself,” Pamela said.

When she finally accompanied Walter and his wife to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, the truth came into focus.

“His stomach was turned upside down,” she recalled. “They had to reposition it, put it back in place. He had so much going on that we didn’t even realise. And I was sick myself at the time.”

The weight of caregiving – for her brother, her sister-in-law, and her own health – became overwhelming. Pamela eventually called her daughter, Sharon: “I told her, I can’t cope anymore. I need your help. Get on the next plane. And she did.”

Carrying the burden together

When Sharon arrived, she found her mother stretched thin. Walter’s wife, she said, was in and out of denial, unable to fully confront her husband’s decline.

“So, mom had to manage it all,” Sharon remembered.

Pamela nodded. “I became the mother hen of the family. I kept check on my brother every day, called him morning and night. I looked after his wife, and I looked after myself. It was a lot. But I thank God for family, because without support, you’re in trouble.”

Holding on to normal life

Walter was determined to live as normally as possible. A faithful church member, he continued his role as the bishop’s chaplain for as long as he could.

“Every Sunday he came,” Pamela said. “Even when he wasn’t feeling well, he’d carry the cross, he’d serve. Until one Sunday I had to tell him, ‘Please, just go sit down. Don’t do anything.’ He was stumbling, and I knew he was too weak. But he didn’t want to stop.”

Walter also insisted on daily phone calls with his sister.

“We talked first thing in the morning, during the day, and last thing at night. Every day. That’s just what we did.”

The final Sunday

Pamela remembers the last time she saw Walter in church. He was visibly frail, but still present, still trying to serve. She told him again to sit and rest.

Later that evening, Walter was admitted to the hospital, but insisted he was fine. “He called me and said, ‘I’m home.’” Pamela recalled. “I said, ‘You’re where? Why are you home?’ He said, ‘I don’t feel bad, I’m okay.’ But he wasn’t okay. He just didn’t want us to worry.”

The following Monday, she spoke with him five times. Their last words were simple and familiar: “I said, love you, talk to you tomorrow.” Later that same night Pamela’s phone rang and the voice on the other line said ‘Walter has died.’

“I said ‘What?!’ I woke up the house.”

Sharon left work, and the two ladies immediately engaged in the business of supporting the entire family in this time of extreme distress.

A community’s goodbye

Walter’s funeral reflected the life he had lived – humble, loving, deeply rooted in community. “It was a Wednesday at 11 o’clock in the morning, but you would have thought it was a Sunday service,” Sharon said. “The church was full. Everyone loved him.”

Local businesses, including Pizza House, where Walter had worked repairing ovens for many years, contributed food and support. “They even donated his favourite cake,” Pamela says. “It meant so much to see how people cared.”

Pamela, who had organised Walter’s 80th birthday celebration just a year earlier, also took on the responsibility of arranging his funeral. “His wife said, ‘You know what he wants.’ And I did. I knew exactly.”

The role of faith

For both ladies, faith has been an anchor through grief.

“You can’t sit down and say, why did the Lord do this?” Pamela said. “It’s not your call. It’s the Lord’s call. My brother had 80 years of a good life – that’s not a bad innings.”

She added plaintively: “Cancer, and dealing with it, is personal. You can have caregivers, family, support – but in the end, the journey is yours. Everyone has to walk it differently.”

Living with loss

Now, some months after Walter passed, coping remains a daily challenge. Pamela is still working through the thank-you cards from the funeral. “They’re done, but I can’t bring myself to send them,” she confessed.

Sharon, who had given up much of her own life to be by her mother’s side during Walter’s illness, sees the journey as ongoing. “Every day, you deal with it,” she said. “You don’t get over it. You just keep going.”

Both find comfort in memories. They speak of Walter’s humility, his devotion to family, his presence in church. They speak of laughter in hotel rooms, of late-night phone calls, of the way he never wanted to burden others with his pain.

Pamela summed it up: “He was my brother, my closest friend. We respected each other, and we were very close. I miss him every day.”

A legacy of love

Walter’s story is not only about illness and loss, but also about love and connection.

“Everybody knew him. Everybody loved him,” Pamela reflected. “He was the complete opposite of me – humble, quiet. But he touched so many people.”

In the end, that legacy of love is what remains. The ladies continue to lean on one another, on their family, and on their faith.

“You deal with it every day,” Pamela repeated, her voice soft, resilient. “But I thank God for the time we had, and for family.”Bottom of Form

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So, when a routine checkup in 2022 revealed something unusual during his annual physical, Troy, 60, didn’t panic. He simply saw it as another problem to tackle.

“My doctor said, ‘Go to a urologist, just in an abundance of caution.’ No urgency in what she said, but I go to the urologist. He does an exam; they do a biopsy; come to find out I had prostate cancer.

“When he told me I was like, ‘OK.’ So, he says, ‘Did you hear me?’”

For many men, those words can sound like a death knell – they conjure fear, doubt, and endless questions. For Troy, they prompted something different. “I’ve always been about problem-solving,” he said. “Once I knew the problem, I wasn’t going to focus on fear. I wanted to know: what’s next?”

At first, there was just some active surveillance: a period where doctors monitored his condition while he adjusted to the idea of having cancer.

But later, a more precise biopsy painted a clearer – and more urgent – picture. The cancer was aggressive. Despite relatively low PSA numbers, the recommendation was clear. It was time to act.

“I didn’t even ask what type of cancer it was,” Troy said with a shrug. “The doctor said it was aggressive, and that was enough for me. I’m not one to get caught up in the labels. I just wanted to know the plan.”

Choosing a path

The plan, as it turned out, wasn’t simple. Troy had to choose between two very different options: surgery or radiation. Each came with its own risks, side effects and recovery processes.

He chose radiation therapy – a longer but less invasive path.

“Even though it meant almost two years of treatment, it was better for me,” he explained. “I didn’t want to go through the surgery, the catheters, the recovery. Radiation gave me a way forward that felt right.”

The treatment took him to the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, where he underwent daily radiation sessions. What could have felt like an ordeal, Troy approached with his usual resolve – and even a touch of humour.

“Yeah, the hot flashes were real,” he laughed. “And the energy drop? You don’t realise how much your testosterone affects everything – your mood, your strength, even your appetite. Suddenly I had sugar cravings I never used to have. It’s like your body gets rewired.”

That ‘rewiring’ came from the second part of his treatment: hormone therapy that suppressed his testosterone for 18 months. It was, as Troy described it, “a kind of medical castration”. The purpose was to starve the cancer of the hormones it depended on. The side effects were draining, but he endured.

The long road

Troy’s journey lasted nearly two years, from the first scan to the final treatment in March 2025.

During that time, support was paramount. For Troy, it came in the form of his girlfriend, who stood by him from the beginning.

“I told her what was coming, and she said, ‘I’m in for the long haul.’ That support made a world of difference. Even my doctor said, ‘You need someone who’s there for the psychological side of this.’ Because it’s not just physical – you start doubting yourself, questioning your future. You need someone to help steady you.”

His gratitude extends to the BCHC team.

“The radiation team at BCHC made the experience bearable,” he said. “I was able to have one comprehensive treatment instead of multiple procedures overseas.”

Reflections and lessons

By the time his PSA numbers dropped to 0.07, and his treatment concluded, Troy had not only survived, but gained perspective. Slowly, he began regaining his energy, easing back into daily routines and rediscovering a sense of normalcy.

“You start to appreciate normal in ways you never did before,” he said. “Waking up without fatigue, feeling your energy return – that feels like a victory.”

His reflections stretch beyond his own journey. Troy has become vocal about the importance of early detection, particularly for Black men, who statistically face higher risks of prostate cancer.

“I was healthy. No family history. And still – I got cancer,” he emphasised.

“That’s why I tell other men: don’t wait. Don’t assume it won’t happen to you. Get checked, get your PSA numbers, do the biopsy if the doctor recommends it. Early detection is everything!”

Troy also pointed out that for many men, prostate cancer goes undetected until late in life.

“Plenty of men are diagnosed in their eighties,” he said. “At that point, doctors sometimes say it won’t make much difference to treat it aggressively. But if you’re younger, if you catch it early, treatment can mean decades of extra life. That’s why I’m open about my story.”

Moving forward

Now that his treatment is behind him, Troy is focused on living – not just surviving.

He’s regaining his strength, reconnecting with his athletic side and embracing life with renewed purpose.

“It’s not just about surviving cancer,” he says. “It’s about living fully after it.”

And while his path has been marked by difficult choices and side effects, Troy remains grateful – for the doctors who guided him, for the technology that allowed him to be treated close to home, and for the partner who stood by his side.

“I’m not just a survivor,” he said. “I’m proof that early detection, thoughtful treatment and a strong support system can make all the difference. And yes, it’s OK to laugh and find joy along the way – even when you’re fighting cancer.”

Troy Glasgow’s story is more than a medical journey. It’s a testament to resilience, preparation and perspective. With his steady problem-solving approach and a heart open to love and support, he turned a life-altering diagnosis into a roadmap for survival – reminding us all that courage isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s just a quiet determination to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Top of Form

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It was lucky that she did.

If she hadn’t, her cancer could have become much worse, because in 2018, when she received the call to go back in for an ultrasound and then a biopsy, she had no noticeable symptoms at all.

“I had no lump. I have no idea what they saw but it was all found on the mammogram,” said Ms Garland, 80.

What they saw turned out to be stage one breast cancer, which she described as “very small”. Stage one means that the cancer is early stage and either only in the breast tissue, or might be found in lymph nodes close to the breast.

On hearing the news, Ms Garland’s reaction wasn’t one of panic, which surprised her.

“I took it all in a much better way than I thought I would,” she said.

She received a lot of support from her family, in particularly her daughter, Caitlin, who “went straight into practical mode” and took a “let’s get this sorted approach”.

After the diagnosis was confirmed, the next step was surgery followed by radiation treatment. She was given the choice of three surgeons by her GP and made her selection after receiving advice from a friend who had worked at the hospital for many years.

The cancer was removed from her breast during a day surgery, leaving Ms Garland “uncomfortable” and “tender”; her sister came over from the UK to help her.

Comfortable process

Following surgery, she also required 18 daily radiation treatments, each lasting 15 minutes, which, because of her claustrophobia, she was very nervous about. She credits the “amazing” staff at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre however, as well as the “wonderful Dr Chris Fosker”, with helping her to overcome her fear and making her feel comfortable.

“I was a little concerned about where I was going to be, because I knew this was on the lower level of Cancer and Health. So, I asked to see the unit, which they were fine with, to see what would happen,” she said.

“It’s a large space and, although you’re in there on your own, they are on the other side of a screen, although you can’t actually see them, and they’re talking to you all the time so I was absolutely fine.”

Ms Garland also found the radiation treatment process easy and convenient, particularly as she volunteers at the Red Cross thrift store just down the road.

“I would pop in, have my treatment and go back,” she recalled.

She also recalled feeling mostly OK during these treatments, except for during her final week, where she “definitely felt tired”.

Another side-effect of her treatment, she added, is that her breasts are now slightly different sizes, but that doesn’t seem to bother her.

“I’ve got one much smaller than the other now,” she smiled. “I got one of those things that you can put in your bra [but] I’ve never used it.”

Get screened!

When Ms Garland looks back on her cancer survival journey, it’s generally with a positive attitude. Her advice to anyone who has recently been diagnosed is to “just not be intimidated by what’s to come because the unit, and Cancer and Health, it’s just amazing”.

She said: “Everybody says the same thing about it. They’re just great. The staff are wonderful. The area that you’re in is very relaxing. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I hate hospitals so the hospital bit, I was definitely intimidated by, but not by the radiation side of things.”

Her most important piece of advice, however, is to anyone who might not be up to date with their annual mammograms: start having them straight away. That’s the only reason her breast cancer was caught as early as it was.

She also urged people to take advantage of the fact they’re available annually.

“I’m just astounded that in places like the UK, it’s every three years and also, after the age of 71, they don’t offer it unless you ask,” she said.

Ms Garland was 73 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chances of survival. According to Cancer Research UK, when breast cancer is caught at stage one, “most women (almost 100 per cent) will survive their cancer for five years or more after diagnosis”. This goes down to 90 out of 100 for stage two, 70 out of 100 for stage three and “more than 25 out of 100 women” for stage four.

Ms Garland’s breast cancer was caught early, her treatment worked, and she has been cancer free for nearly seven years now.

She still goes back for her mammogram each year.

“It’s always in the back of my mind, I wonder, but I think that’s for a lot of people,” she said.

Her daughter also never misse

The post Saved by a mammogram appeared first on RG Magazines.

In March 2020, life as we knew it changed for good. A dangerous virus was spreading around the globe. Businesses and schools closed. People were ordered to stay in their homes. Everyone was scared.

Even in Bermuda. The COVID-19 virus was confirmed on the island on March 18, 2020, brought over by people from the United States and United Kingdom earlier that month. The government responded with a “shelter in place” order, banning international travel and shutting down all non-essential services. This left the island’s health-care workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

It was an intense and exhausting time for them as they cared for sick patients and worried for their own health and that of their families’. At the time of writing, there were 3,465 total reported cases in Bermuda and 35 deaths. Throughout the crisis, Bermuda’s doctors, nurses and support staff did an outstanding job of providing care to everyone in Bermuda who needed it.

VENETTA SYMONDS

“The professionalism and dedication of the staff stands out for me from that period, even more so with the benefit of broadened perspective,” says Venetta Symonds, who recently retired as the CEO of the Bermuda Health Board after 40 years of service.

“Healthcare workers remained focused on patient care and their immediate responsibilities, even though their personal lives were impacted like everyone else’s was,” continues Symonds, who was at the helm throughout the dark days of the pandemic.

“It was reassuring to witness the natural teaming of health-care workers, internal and external to the hospital, to confront this crisis. Individuals listened more and contributed more, extending beyond their day-to- day responsibilities.”

All over the world, people cheered on their healthcare workers, holding signs from their balconies and applauding from their lawns.

Children coloured pictures and taped them to their windows, while the media followed the coverage online and through other channels. But it wasn’t just the medical staff who treated COVID patients who were being recognized—it was also all the other experts working behind the scenes to care for different kinds of patients whose lives were at risk of various ailments and diseases, including cancer.

AMANDA PLANTE

Chief Radiation Therapist, has worked at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC) since 2017. “I was always drawn to working in the medical field and knew I wanted to help those battling cancer,” she says. “Radiation therapy was a natural fit for me. I enjoy getting to know my patients over their course of treatment and celebrating their personal milestones.

Then the pandemic hit, bringing with it particular challenges for already vulnerable patients and the systems in place to care for them. “The pandemic brought with it additional challenges, such as increased appointment times and an altered check-in process to facilitate screening measures,” says Plante.

“However, patients and staff worked together to navigate the ‘new normal’ in order to ensure everyone’s safety.” No matter how scared they were for their own safety or their patients and families, staff continued to show up every day. “There is nothing more rewarding than when a family member or patient says you’ve helped make a difficult journey that much easier,” says Plante.

“We all take pride in the work we do, and I’d like to think the care and compassion we have for our patients is evident in every step of the treatment process.”

ELLEN TRUEMAN

also works at the BCHC. She is a Radiation Oncology Nurse Director/Clinical Nurse Specialist. She has a varied and diverse role that, depending on the day, consists of a range of patient clinics that includes seeing new patients, patients who have completed treatment, patients on treatment as well as performing administrative work, returning telephone calls and supporting other staff members. Her workload increased during the pandemic.

“It involved a lot of changes to existing working patterns so that we could continue to deliver our service and maintain patient and staff safety,” says Trueman. “Many adjustments were made including enhanced protocols for COVID screening and safe delivery of care, such as wearing personal protective equipment, switching to virtual/telemedicine processes for patient consultations, and changes to workflow for patients coming in for treatment.”

Through it all, no patient was overlooked. “COVID changed how we work behind the scenes, but we always managed to continue with our mission to deliver safe, high-quality care throughout all the uncertainty and the highs and lows of navigating a COVID world,” says Trueman.

“Working and supporting each other so that we could continue to support the patients and families in our care is what has gotten us through so far—and continues to do so.”

It hasn’t always been easy. Far from it, in fact. “Fear and vulnerability was present in health-care workers, since they also had loved ones suffering in different parts of the world and here in Bermuda,” says Symonds. “Health-care workers held each other up during the acute phase of the pandemic, with love,support and innovation.

As a result, they were able to provide care, execute rapidly changing COVID-19 mandates, and offer input to keep Bermuda safe. I applaud hospital workers and every health-care worker in Bermuda, who continues to execute their day-to-day responsibilities for our residents, even as they personally experience the threat of COVID-19. They are exceptional.”

LYNNE WOOLRIDGE

As the CEO of BCHC, Lynne Woolridge couldn’t agree more with these sentiments, especially as much of the world faces a fourth wave.

“We must continue to be grateful to the many healthcare workers who showed up each and every day to carry out their roles. As those of us in the general public kept our distance from others and retreated to areas of relative safety, health-care workers provided comfort and peace of mind by helping us adapt to the new reality,” says Woolridge.

“Within our own organization, our staff focused on providing uninterrupted treatment and services to our patients and customers, even as they quelled concerns for their own wellbeing, children learning remotely and vulnerable parents. We’ll be forever thankful for them.”

Even health-care workers themselves are grateful for each other. Trueman can’t say enough good things about her colleagues and the attributes that helped them thrive as a team on the cancer-care front during more than a year of crisis.

“Sharing and caring for each other really helped us get through it,” she says.

“Knowing that we managed to continue delivering radiation treatment to patients as well as being able to facilitate new patients starting treatment during a global pandemic was motivation enough to face any challenges that were thrown at us. For patients receiving a cancer diagnosis, being able to tell them that they could still get the treatment they needed, despite the pandemic; and that they could get it right here in Bermuda, without the worry of travelling anywhere else, was what made a difference, and still does. When the world had shut down, we could offer patients radiation treatment at a first-class radiation facility here on the island, and that was so important for patients to know.”

The worst is hopefully behind Bermudians, but staff are still on high alert. “Things are improving, but we never let our guard down,” says Trueman. “We still maintain COVID safety protocols to reassure patients that we are operating to the highest safety standards to keep everyone safe and keep our service open. It’s a privilege to work as part of the BCHC team and to be part of a service that makes a difference to people in Bermuda.”

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, health-care staff continue to remind Bermudians to take care of themselves. “October brings with it a focus on breast cancer, placing a critical spotlight on the importance of early detection and screening,” says Plante. “However, cancer prevention is a year-round endeavour: eating healthy, exercising, and protecting yourself when you’re in the sun are things we should all be doing regularly to reduce the incidence of all types of cancer.”

It’s proof that Bermuda’s health-care workers are indeed extraordinary.

The post Bermuda’s Health Care Workers – They Are Exceptional! appeared first on RG Magazines.

Unfortunately, breast cancer is the leading form of cancer found in women in Bermuda.  1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime with only 5-10% of these diagnoses having a hereditary link.

One of the most important things women can do when they turn 40 is schedule a screening mammogram.  A doctor’s referral is not required for this exam which means women can call Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC) directly to schedule an their own appointment.

Screening mammograms are covered by health insurance, and BCHC believes that every woman should have access to recommended screening so the centre does not charge a co-pay and their Equal Access Fund can help subsidise the cost in cases of no health insurance.

For women at average risk, screening mammograms should be performed annually beginning at age 40 to check the breasts for any early signs of breast cancer.  If you have a higher risk of breast cancer, such as being of African-American descent, you and your doctor may decide to start screening at a younger age.

In addition to regular screenings, it is essential to perform regular breast exams.  A breast self-exam can be performed in the shower following your period.  Include gently probing your breast tissue in a circular motion which can help you detect small lumps that could be a sign of cancer. If you discover anything unusual in your breasts or if you have concerns about your breast health, you should follow up with your Doctor as soon as possible – don’t wait!

No screening test is perfect, but mammography is the closest thing we have when screening for breast cancer and remains the gold standard for preventative breast health.  A mammogram can find breast cancer before it can be felt. Cancer that’s diagnosed at an early stage, when it isn’t too large and hasn’t spread, is more likely to be treated successfully.

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre welcome women to call 236-1001 if they have questions about early breast cancer detection and to schedule their screening mammogram appointment.

The post Breast health is ageless appeared first on RG Magazines.