The Repository for Caribbean Cancer Publications - CMAR | CMAR

Abstract:  Objective: In the Caribbean region, research has been limited, making it challenging to find. In order for the region to optimally access and utilize present research and identify gaps, we developed the Repository for Caribbean Cancer Publications (ReCCaP) to home publications on cancer in the Caribbean population and diaspora and report on publication trends.

Methods: A systematic PubMed literature search for the period 2004– 2019 (15 years) was developed using keywords related to “cancer” and “Caribbean.” Three independent investigators verified included publications. The final database was formatted and hosted in an online database management software. Publication trends over time, by country, cancer type, and income classification were investigated.

Results: Of the 4935 publications found, 1194 papers met the inclusion criteria with 803 publications (67.25%) being on the Caribbean population, 139 publications (11.64%) including multiple Caribbean countries and 252 publications (21.11%) on the diaspora. Between 2004 and 2019, there was an overall 0.20 increase in publications regionally. Overall, most publications were on breast (n = 168, 14.07%), prostate (n = 156, 13.07%), cervical (n = 152, 12.73%), colorectal (n = 80, 6.70%), and lung cancer (n = 36, 3.02%). The highest number of papers were published by Puerto Rico (22.80 pubs/year), Cuba (8.27 pubs/year), Jamaica (6.27 pubs/year), Trinidad and Tobago (3.53 pubs/year), and Martinique (2.27 pubs/year). The high-income countries (n=10) collectively lead in publications over the 15-year period.

Conclusion: ReCCaP provides an easily searchable database highlighting published work and gaps in knowledge on cancer in the Caribbean and diaspora.