African Population-Specific Cancer Control Strategies

Africa Is Facing A Silent Cancer Epidemic &

Majority Of African Countries Are Not Equipped

To Provide Life-Saving Cancer Treatments


According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)


in 2020, there were

1.1 million new cancer  cases  &

711,429 cancer deaths in africa


FACT

Cancer rates on the Continent will almost double to 2 million cases between 2020 and 2040.


FACT

The majority of cancers in African countries are diagnosed at more advanced stages due to lack of screening and early detection services. This results in less successful treatment outcomes and higher mortality rates.




FACT

People of African ancestry face higher incidence and mortality rates than any other racial group on the planet.


FACT

People of African ancestry are extremely under-represented in cancer research worldwide which results in the lack of development of innovative/more effective therapies specifically targeted at cancer patients of African ancestry.



Fact

Unlike in the West, women in Africa have a higher cancer incidence and mortality rate than their male counterparts. 


FACT

Even though cancer kills more adults in Africa than malaria, HIV & tuberculosis combined there is more focus and funding targeted at infectious diseases like malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, etc.

MOST COMMON CANCERS IN WEST AFRICA

1

BREAST & CERVICAL CANCERS

Breast and Cervical Cancers are the leading cancer diagnoses among African women, with 1 in 5 cancer deaths being due to either of these cancers.


Five-year survival rates for African women with breast cancer is only 5-15%, compared to 93% for American women.


2

PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer has a nearly 100% cure rate when diagnosed and treated early, is grossly undiagnosed and underestimated in African countries.


It has become the number one cancer diagnosed in African men. 

3

COLORECTAL CANCER

An increasingly a main cause of mortality in African men and women, due to late-stage diagnosis.


Average survival rates are as low as 16% in comparison to the West, where survival rates can be as high as 90% if treatment commences when the cancer is still localized. 

4

LIVER CANCER

A leading cause of cancer death in Africa, with men having twice the mortality rate, as compared with women.


Common Cancers are highly treatable or preventable

Breast Cancer

With early detection and treatment, survival rate is approximately 93-98%.

Cervical Cancer

Can be eliminated with regular screening and vaccinations.

Colorectal Cancer

With early detection and treatment, survival rate is close to 100%.

Prostate Cancer

Can be eliminated with regular screening.

Lung Cancer

90% preventable by eliminating cigarette use.


Early Detection and Treatment of Cancer Saves Lives 



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