In a powerful demonstration of collaboration and community spirit, Bayview Urgent Care’s Diagnostic Radiology Department has become a central hub in Barbados’ fight against breast cancer. Through two groundbreaking partnerships, one with Cancer Support Services (CSS) and another with Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited, Bayview is helping to remove barriers to early detection and empowering women across the island to take charge of their health.

For uninsured women, access to timely screenings can mean the difference between life and death. Recognising this, Diagnostic Radiology Services and Cancer Support Services joined forces to offer free mammograms and breast ultrasounds to women without insurance. These services are now available through CSS referrals.

According to the 2024 Barbados National Registry report, breast cancer is the second most common cancer on the island and remains the leading cause of death among Barbadian women. Even more concerning, the World Cancer Research Fund ranks Barbados as having the fourth-highest breast cancer mortality rate globally among women, a sobering statistic that underscores the urgent need for early detection.

While CSS focuses on the uninsured, Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited is taking proactive steps to support its policyholders through a dedicated breast cancer screening programme. This collaboration ensures Guardian Life clients have access to Bayview’s advanced 3D mammography machine, a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that improves detection accuracy and patient comfort.

The initiative, launched just before Breast Cancer Awareness Month, encourages women to prioritise preventive care and make the most of their annual health benefits.

Both partnerships reflect a shared vision to make preventive healthcare accessible to all women, regardless of income or insurance status. Bayview Urgent Care’s modern diagnostic facilities, combined with the compassion and community focus of its partners, are setting a new standard for collaborative health initiatives in Barbados.