In partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization’s regional office for the Americas, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sylvester hosted the “Improving Mammogram Quality Seminar,” which educated radiologists and technologists from throughout the Caribbean in the latest in screening mammography techniques, protocols, technologies, quality assurance and more.

The WHO recognized Sylvester at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as a collaborating center for cervical cancer elimination in late 2021, entrusting the cancer center to provide a leading role in its worldwide effort to eliminate the preventable disease.

While the recent breast cancer training seminar was not directly related to the cervical cancer collaboration with the WHO, it reflects the confidence that the WHO and PAHO have in Sylvester as a trusted partner in the elimination of cancer disparities, including in breast cancer.

Women in the Caribbean have a higher death rate from breast cancer than women in North America and European countries, according to the WHO. This is partly because the cancer is often detected at later stages when it is less treatable.

“We are honored to work so closely with PAHO/WHO and MD Anderson on increasing capacity for breast cancer screening across Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., associate director of population science and cancer disparities at Sylvester. “As a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center, Sylvester plays a critical role in ensuring that best practices for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment translate to our partners globally.”