The World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, on Sunday said the rate of cancer in Africa is alarming.
Dr Moeti, in a statement to commemorate the 2024 World Cancer Day, stated that “approximately 882,882 new cancer cases occurred in the WHO African Region with around 573,653 deaths”.
According to her, about 50 per cent of new cancer cases in adults in the region are due to breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers.
She warned that if urgent measures are not taken, cancer mortality in the region is projected to reach about one million deaths per year by 2030.
She further added that in 20 years, cancer death rates in Africa will overtake the global average of 30 per cent.
This is more so because cancer survival rates in the WHO African region currently average 12 per cent, much lower than the average of over 80 per cent in High-Income Countries.
This year’s theme, “Together, we challenge those in power,” encompasses the global demand for leaders to prioritise and invest in cancer prevention and care and to do more to achieve a just and cancer-free world.
According to the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (2018-2022), cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, with a reported 102,000 new cases each year.
WHO urges e-cigarette regulation
“For instance, 17 countries have introduced high-performance-based screening tests in line with the WHO recommendations.
“Also, 28 of our Member States have introduced nationwide HPV vaccination to reach about 60 per cent of the priority population targeted with HPV vaccination.
“This year’s theme is auspicious as it reinforces all persons and groups’ universal right to health. We believe that regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, age, and gender, every person must be afforded an equal chance at the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer,” she said.
