Rise of cancer in developing countries ‘linked to HIV’ says specialist
The rapid increase of cancer cases in Sub Saharan Africa can be directly attributed to HIV, according to leading cancer specialist.
Dr. Jackson Orem, director of Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), made the comments at the first ever consultative meeting on the role of civil society in the cancer awareness and strategies for control, organised by UCI for World Cancer Day (4 February, 2012).
According to WHO, the global cancer burden will increase by 6 million between 2000 and 2020 and most of this increase will be in developing countries, especially sub Saharan Africa.
“At least 30% of the cancers in developing countries are related to infection but HIV has emerged as a single major factor in the recent accelerated burden of cancer,” noted Dr. Orem.
Dr. Orem said cancer is being increasingly recognised as an important global health problem as it kills more people worldwide than HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and accidents combined.
Most cancer patients in the developing world are now young and in their prime as opposed to elderly populations in the developed world.
The UCI, which was established in 1967 as a cancer research and treatment centre, is a key leader in research in the world, having been the first to make a breakthrough on knowledge and treatment of Burkitt Lymphoma, a childhood cancer.
Commenting on the role of civil society and partnerships in cancer awareness and strategies for control, Dr Orem said: “Effective partnership between the Uganda Cancer Institute and organizations will be the initial crucial step in initiating a functional national cancer control program for Uganda, which will be a model in the region.”
He said these strategies will not only stem the rising burden of cancer in Sub Saharan Africa but will benefit millions of people.
He noted that partnerships would be in areas of cancer awareness, to increase this by encouraging early recognition of disease preferably before development of symptoms, hence early diagnosis. The other aspect is educating the public about the importance of recognising symptoms early.
In a closing remark, Dr. Orem observed that the consultative meeting between the UCI and civil society organizations has been an eye opener.
“The questions that have been asked will be given due attention and this meeting is a catalyst of what is to come in future. This is the beginning of a long lasting partnership with civil society organizations in addressing issues of cancer, and I commit myself to taking it forward.”
By James Kityo
Key Correspondents
http://www.keycorrespondents.org/
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