WHO: 1.1M New Cancer Cases Occur Annually in Africa

As the world commemorates World Cancer Day today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that approximately 1.1 million new cancer cases occur in Africa annually, with about 700,000 deaths.

It also said the data estimates showed a considerable increase in cancer mortality to nearly one million deaths per year by 2030, without urgent and bold interventions.

The WHO, in a state by its Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, recalled that the most common cancers in adults include breast (16.5%), cervical (13.1%), prostate (9.4%), Colorectal (6%), and liver (4.6%) cancers, contributing to nearly half of the new cancer cases.

According to the statement, with significant data challenges, childhood cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated at 56.3 per million population.

It said; “current projections show that Africa will account for nearly 50% of the global childhood cancer burden by 2050, compelling expeditious efforts to confront this concern, as was done for the young girl from Rwanda.

“In that view, it is important to celebrate some achievements we have made as a region, at the country level.

“Twelve countries in the region have valid National Cancer Control Plans. WHO is 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.

“Countries such as Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, and Senegal have developed National Treatment Guidelines for childhood cancer.

“Twenty-five countries have developed and are using Cancer Guidelines. Political will remains significant in improving the cancer landscape.

“Including childhood cancer medicines in the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana and Zambia is a good example.

“Such a strategic action will significantly contribute to the increase in survival rates for children with cancer in these countries”, the statement noted.

The WHO said it was collaborating with Childhood Cancer International to develop and pilot the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support guidelines for children in Burkina Faso.

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It said, it was gratifying to note the steady increase of HPV vaccination national introduction by 51% of countries in the region, although coverage remains concerning at 21%.

According to WHO, currently, 16 countries have introduced high-performance-based screening tests in line with WHO recommendations and plan to scale up cervical cancer screening.

“The introduction of gynecologic oncology Fellowships for improved access to cervical cancer treatment services in Malawi and Zambia is commendable and innovative.

“Working closely with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in cancer registration, we launched three collaborating centers in Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and South Africa.

“The centers will facilitate capacity building for local staff and improve data quality for effective decision-making”, it said.

The world health body said, despite these achievements, stumbling blocks remain on its path.

It enumerated the challenges to include, such as the low availability of Population-Based Cancer Registries; limited health promotion; inadequate access to primary prevention and early detection services; the scarcity of diagnostic facilities that increase delays in diagnosis and treatment.

It noted that the provision of palliative care is rare in Africa, notwithstanding the significant need for it.

The WHO said Africa has only 3% of the world’s cancer treatment facilities, with radiotherapy available in just 22 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to very low survival rates.

It maintained that “by uniting voices and action, we can address cancer at individual and community levels: Choosing healthy lifestyles, getting vaccinated, and getting routinely screened against preventable cancers.

“Parents have the responsibility to ensure their eligible daughters receive HPV vaccines”.

The WHO called on Governments to develop/update national cancer control plans, provide sustainable financing and invest in cancer registration.

It further encouraged Governments to incorporate cancer care into essential benefits packages and national health insurance systems, saying, it is also critical to ensure adequate infrastructure for human resources, screening, diagnostics, and treatment.

It said there is equally a need to expand the use of digital health and establish relevant training for the cancer workforce.

The world health body said 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”, it noted.

This year’s World Cancer Day theme is “Close the care Gap: Uniting our voices and taking action”.