NAIROBI, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) — Countries in sub-Saharan Africa need to put in place targeted interventions such as enhanced surveillance and timely diagnosis, treatment and care to control the rising number of cancer-related deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated on Saturday, on the occasion of World Cancer Day.
Cancer is straining the continent’s public health infrastructure, deepening poverty and inequality, WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said in a statement released in Nairobi. Kenya’s capital, adding that 1.1 million new cases of cancer and an estimated 700,000 deaths occur each year in Africa, reversing progress made in extending life expectancy on the continent.
“Data estimates show a dramatic increase in cancer mortality, which will reach almost one million deaths per year by 2030, if there are no urgent and bold interventions,” said Mrs. Moeti said.
According to the WHO, the most common cases of cancer among adults in Africa are breast and cervical cancer for women, and prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and liver cancer for men. men. Current projections indicate that the continent will account for almost 50% of the global childhood cancer burden by 2050.
Africa has nevertheless made significant progress in the war against cancer, with 12 countries already having strong national cancer plans and several others having developed national childhood cancer treatment guidelines, he said. she asserted.
Political goodwill has revitalized cancer control in Africa where 25 countries have developed and are using cancer guidelines while others have integrated the diagnosis and treatment of the disease into their national health insurance schemes, she added.
Ms Moeti commended 16 African countries that have introduced high-performance cancer screening tests, in line with WHO recommendations, adding that greater use of cervical cancer vaccines targeting adolescent girls has prevented many deaths.
Establishing cancer registries, training health personnel and investing in diagnosis, research, therapeutics and palliative care will be key to reducing the number of cancer-related deaths on the continent, she said. . END
