Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Lesotho Times
Published on 2024-03-05 13:11:04
Seithati Motṧoeneng predicts that over 35 million new cancer cases will arise globally by 2050, with Least Developed Countries (LDCs) such as Lesotho expected to bear the greatest burden. This projection represents a significant increase of over 70% from the estimated 20 million cancer cases worldwide in 2022. The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes this surge in cancer cases to factors such as population growth, aging populations, and exposure to various risk factors.
In Lesotho, cervical cancer stands out as the most prevalent cancer among women aged 15 to 44 and is a leading cause of death among women. Ministry of Health statistics reveal that out of 541 women diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, 362 lose their lives to the disease. The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) identifies tobacco, alcohol, obesity, and air pollution as key drivers behind the rising incidence of cancer globally.
Dr. Freddie Bray, Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, emphasizes in a report that the impact of the increasing cancer cases will disproportionately affect underdeveloped countries, which lack resources to manage their cancer burden. Dr. Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at IARC, notes that women in lower Human Development Index (HDI) countries are 50% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer compared to women in high HDI countries, leading to higher mortality rates due to late diagnosis and limited access to quality treatment.
Dr. Cary Adams, Head of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), acknowledges the progress made in cancer detection, treatment, and care but highlights significant disparities in cancer treatment outcomes between high- and low-income regions as well as within countries. He emphasizes the importance of government prioritization of cancer care and ensuring universal access to affordable, quality services through political will.
Despite these challenges, a global WHO survey reveals that only 39% of countries include cancer management in their financed core health services, and only 28% cover palliative care for individuals needing pain relief. In Lesotho, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Retṧelisitsoe Matlanyane, allocated M3.4 billion to the Ministry of Health for the 2024-25 fiscal year, but it remains unclear how much of the budget will be allocated to addressing the cancer burden.
In 2022, the three most common types of cancer globally were lung, breast, and colorectal cancers, with an estimated 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths. Lung cancer topped the list with 2.5 million new cases, followed by breast cancer and colorectal cancer. These statistics underscore the urgent need for increased awareness, resources, and access to quality cancer care globally to address the growing cancer burden.
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