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The World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti on Sunday said the cancer situation in Africa is disheartening.
Dr Moeti, in her message 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.
“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.
“Also, 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,” Moeti said.
On February 4th of every year, the world unites to raise awareness on cancer issues. Between 2022 and 2024, the focus of World Cancer Day is to help “Close the cancer gap.”
This year marks the third and final year of the campaign. 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…
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