In 2018 over one million new cases of cancer were declared on the African continent and with many cases likely going undiagnosed or unreported, the actual number may well be higher. Tackling cancer in high-income countries with a solid healthcare system is based on prevention and early diagnosis via awareness campaigns and routine screening for people at risk.
Actions like these make it possible to start treating patients in the early stages of the disease, increasing their chances of recovery.
Once diagnosed, a case of cancer requires the coordinated effort of a multi-disciplinary team and the right technical infrastructure.
What does the situation look like in Africa?
The three most common types of cancer in Africa are cervical cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer and the consequences can be devastating. For example, the survival rate of breast cancer at 5 years, which is 85% in resource-rich countries doesn’t exceed 15% in Africa. Let's go to Malawi.