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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the cancer situation in Africa is alarming.
In the WHO African Region, there were approximately 882,882 new cancer cases and 573,653 deaths in 2024. Breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers accounted for 50% of new cancer cases in adults in the region.
If urgent action is not taken, cancer mortality in Africa is projected to reach one million deaths per year by 2030. Currently, cancer survival rates in the region average just 12%, significantly lower than the global average of over 80% in High-Income Countries.
In the WHO African Region, cancer death rates are set to overtake the global average of 30% in the next 20 years.
The focus of World Cancer Day 2022-2024 is to “Close the cancer gap” and demand that leaders prioritize and invest in cancer prevention and care.
According to the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan, cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths annually in Nigeria, with 102,000 new cases reported each year. Despite the concerning statistics, progress has been made in cancer prevention and care in Africa.
For example, 17 countries have introduced high-performance-based screening tests, and 28 Member States have implemented nationwide HPV vaccination programs.
Dr. Moeti called for unity and universal access to cancer prevention and care in Africa.
