In a message to commemorate this year’s World Cancer Day,
the world body said more than 400,000 children were diagnosed annually with
cancer around the world, with about 90 per cent living in low- and
middle-income countries.
In t
“Every year, Africa records around 1.1 million new cases of
cancer, resulting in up to 700 000 deaths. Breast cancer, along cervical,
prostate, liver and colorectal cancers, account for almost half the new cases
on the continent annually.
“Children are also inequitably impacted. Of the more than
400, 000 children diagnosed annually with cancer around the world, about 90 per
cent live in low- and middle-income countries. “Survival rates are at a very
low 20 per cent or less in African countries, compared to more than 80 per cent
in developed countries,” it said.
According to Moeti, this year’s theme, “Close the care gap,”
marked the start of a three-year campaign to raise global awareness around
cancer and its impacts, especially among most vulnerable citizens.
Moeti said renewed efforts to curb new cancer cases were
urgent, adding that there are alarming projections that cancer death rates in
Africa would rise exponentially over the next 20 years, outstripping the global
average by 30 per cent.
He also said that common challenges across the African
region included lack of awareness and education, limited access to primary
prevention and early detection services, coupled with delays in diagnosis and
treatment.
“There is also limited access to palliative care and pain
relief.
Shortages of specialists in medical and radiation oncology,
pathology, medical physics and other essential areas compound the gaps.
“Africa has only three per cent of the world’s cancer
treatment facilities, with radiotherapy available in just 22 countries in
sub-Saharan Africa, which contributes to poor survival rates,” he added.
To “close the care gap,” WHO Africa is driving a number of
key initiatives. These have seen 45 per cent of our countries introduce
national HPV vaccination programmes to address the cervical cancer threat.
National screening programmes are now operational in 72 per cent countries, 11
of which offer high-performance screening.),” he said.
Moeti further said that through the Global Initiative for
Childhood Cancer (GICC), Zambia, Senegal and Ghana have developed
country-specific treatment guidelines, established pediatric hospital-based
registries, and improved access to chemotherapy.
He disclosed that Senegal was in the process of including
childhood cancers in its new National Cancer Control Plan.
Moeti said that last year, WHO Africa partnered with St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States to launch the
groundbreaking Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.
“It is expected to contribute significantly to closing the
cancer care gap for children on the continent.
As countries work towards universal health care, with the
support of WHO, cancer risk factors need to be prioritized. Equitable access to
life-saving vaccines, robust screening and early detection programmes, combined
with a skilled workforce and adequate infrastructure and equipment, are also
critical.
“As individuals, governments, partners and civil society, we
all have a role to play. It will take a combined effort and multi-sectoral
approach to achieve uninterrupted access to affordable, safe and effective
cancer therapies for all,” he said.
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