Health

WHO: Cancer kills 700,000 Africans yearly

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says an estimated 1.1 million new cancer cases occur each year in Africa, with about 700,000 deaths.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Said this in a statement to commemorate the 2023 World Cancer Day.

The World Cancer Day is an international day marked yearly on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

Moeti stated: Dr Moeti said, “Approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases occur each year in Africa, with about 700,000 deaths. Data estimates show a considerable increase in cancer mortality to nearly one million deaths per year by 2030, without urgent and bold interventions.

“We should recall that the most common cancers in adults include breast (16.5 per cent), cervical (13.1 per cent), prostate (9.4 per cent), Colorectal (6 per cent), and liver (4.6 per cent) cancers, contributing to nearly half of the new cancer cases.

“With significant data challenges, childhood cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated at 56.3 per million population.

“Current projections show that Africa will account for nearly 50 per cent of the global childhood cancer burden by 2050, compelling expeditious efforts to confront this concern, as was done for the young girl from Rwanda.”

Moeti said 12 countries in the region had valid National Cancer Control Plans, adding that the WHO was supporting 11 additional countries in developing or updating their National Cancer Control Plans aligned to the global cancer initiatives coupled with the presence of governance structures at the government level to implement cancer plans.

She said it was gratifying to note the steady increase of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination national introduction by 51 percent of countries in the region, although coverage remained concerning at 21 percent.

Moeti said despite the achievements, there are challenges, including low availability of population-based cancer registries, limited health promotion, inadequate access to primary prevention and early detection services, and scarcity of diagnostic facilities that increase delays in diagnosis and treatment.

She, however, urged governments to develop and update national cancer control plans, provide sustainable financing, and invest in cancer registration.

“I encourage governments to incorporate cancer care into essential benefits packages and national health insurance systems. It is also critical to ensure adequate infrastructure for human resources, screening, diagnostics, and treatment. There is equally a need to expand the use of digital health and establish relevant training for the cancer workforce.

“Finally, cancer survivors can lend their voices as advocates for better cancer services. As persons with lived experience, they should be involved in designing cancer services at all levels of health care.

“Let us unite against cancer and take action to make universal health for cancer prevention, treatment, and care a reality in Africa,” the WHO official added.

The Star