Dr. Arthur T Porter - in The Bahamas

Dr. Porter has worked to establish research and treatment programs in Turkey, India, Yemen, Brazil and throughout Europe. He is on the Editorial Board of 13 scientific journals and credited with more than 300 scholarly works. A frequent speaker at universities and medical conferences throughout the world, his academic endeavor relates to uses of radioactive isotopes and the treatment of prostate cancer. In September 2001, he was appointed to the Presidential commission charged with reviewing the health care provided by the US Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. 

He brings to the Bahamas a blend of health care expertise, business acumen and superior achievements in medical practice and research.                                         

  All concurrent with worldwide educational leadership, medical practice & research

  -  including these past & present Board positions, Fellowships and Awards

Presidencies 

American Brachytherapy Society 

American College of Oncology Administrators 

American Cancer Society (Great Lakes) 

American College of Radiation Oncology

Testimonials  &  Awards

Award for Excellence from the Detroit Medical Society

Healthcare "Executive of the Year Award" 

"The Harry Schubin MD - Statesman in Healthcare            Administration Award"  and a Testimonial from

The American Academy of Medical Administrators

               Fellowships 

              American College of Radiation Oncology 

              The Royal Society of Medicine, UK 

              American College of Oncology Administration 

              American College of Radiation 

                                           "Aren't you also an historian of your country of birth, Sierra Leone                                   Leonne? What have the early years in Africa brought to you?  

                                            "I'm not the historian. Actually that's my Dad - same

                                            name. Growing up in two developing African countries

                                            gave me among other things a deep appreciation of

                                            negritude - pride for the African heritage and what being

                                            black means; something that later, many of my peers at 

                                            university were not so lucky to have.” 

                                           “You arrived here in December 2003. What is the background                                             this and why the Bahamas?

  "The plan began to form in my mind before 2003 when I was increasingly seeing Bahamian patients coming to our Detroit Centre for treatment. Really the patients brought me down here. They would say: “Come down to Nassau, do something for us there.” 

"One of the things I was interested in was to see a first rate Cancer Centre here -equivalent to the best in the western world, the US, Canada or UK, something to show that the Bahamas has the best care available anywhere.” 

  “Oncology? Why for you? And isn’t cancer still clouded in mystery? What is your view of the many alternative treatments now popular, especially on the Internet?"

“Clouds have lifted a lot lately. But early on I saw Oncology as the most interesting area of medicine where you can really do good, really make a difference to a serious illness. In my time I have been able to see so much improvement in the overall outcome. 

"And it is a medicine in which there are many opportunities for significant research. So it has always fascinated me. Alternatives? Many treatments once considered ‘alternative’ are no longer that and may be useful when integrated into mainstream treatment and thought. We must be careful though of turning recklessly to treatments we are not sure of. There can be downsides as well. I recommend that if you are considering non-mainstream treatment, you spend at least some time discussing it with the oncologist.” 

"Can you give some figures on the success rate of Radiation Therapy in advanced cancers?"

"Depends on the type. With breast and prostrate cancers caught early we can now talk about success rates of 90-98%. These figures go down if not caught early -but really we can make a substantial difference to all cancers now and success rates are far, far better than the old 5-15%. "

“There must be many failures too. What factors can contribute to a failure of treatment?" 

“Well I’ve said early detection, and then prevention of spreading come first; but coming to a comprehensive treatment centre such as this with many specialists able to evaluate and treat the various tumor types is the big advantage we have. The patient has the greater responsibility though. If you don’t turn up, the consequence is yours. In other words, establishing the right treatment regimen, then following it up, working hand-in-hand with the oncologist is the way to go.” 

“We have lots of sun rays here, sometimes intense. Does that mean we are more at risk for exposure to radiation?" 

“Radiation from sunlight is very different from that used to treat cancer. People with light skins must take precautions. Dark skin fortunately provides its own protection.”

“Is a prospective patient likely to have a personal consultation with you?" 

“Absolutely. Each individual clinical record, chart and data of each patient is reviewed by me at The Centre along with relevant members of our professional team. Should a patient want to see me, or has a condition which is complicated, then I can make myself available to him or her personally.” 

“What do you see for cancer treatment in the coming 15-20 years?"

“One of the problems with cancer was always that we saw the infected cells divide and divide again without control. What we are going to see in the future is that we will get close to seeing what switches these genes on and more importantly what switches them off. If we can switch them off - then we can cure. So in this whole area of genetic engineering and modulation I predict that over 15-25 years we will be well on the way to eliminating cancerous cells instantly or preventing their occurrence."

“Is Brachytherapy.. how do you pronounce it.. and IMRT, available in Cuba?" 

“Bray" –as in the Vicar of Bray or like “breakthrough” –No they are not available there, in Japan, Russia or much of the Far East."

"How does the incidence of cancer in Bahamians compare to other nations?" 

"In two types we do see above average rates. Prostrates in men and Breast Cancer in women. This unfortunately is the case for black folk everywhere. Now, this centre, so easily available to the whole population here and to patients across the world, will make a big difference." 

Oct. 2006 J.S.