Figures revealed that in 2020, there were almost 18.1 million new cancer cases around the world.
Health experts believe that early detection, cancer prevention, management and treatment is key in reducing mortality. These services in the recent past have improved over the years in high-income countries with decreasing mortality and improved survival rates.
However, the situation is different in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Despite its serious nature, the number of new cases of cancer in the world increased to more than 15 million, with deaths increasing to 12 million in the past one year alone. Much of the burden of cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality occurs in the developing world.
Recently President Adama Barrow renewed his call for collaboration between The Gambia and key stakeholders in the fight against cancer. Barrow was speaking during an audience with the leader of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr Alfred Carago, with his team, who paid a courtesy visit to him at State House.
The Gambian leader believes that joining forces will help leverage Government's efforts to tackle a growing cancer burden and to make a more significant impact on the lives of people with cancer. This call is not only timely, but quite commendable.
The move was not only timely, but would go a long way in giving policy direction thus enhancing cancer care prevention and control in the country.
Some of the risk factors associated with cancer include, diet, tobacco, alcohol, lack of exercise, and industrial exposures.
In the past year or so, the developing world has been already burdened by cancers some of which are attributable to infectious diseases. These disparities in cancer risk combined with poor access to epidemiological data, research, treatment, and cancer control and prevention combine to result in significantly poorer survival rates in developing countries for a range of specific malignancies.
We commend the Gambian leader for setting up a Cancer Control Programme Unit under the Ministry of Health, which advocates, sensitises, supports and coordinates early diagnosis and treatment activities.
Also commendable is the proactive stance taken by the first lady of The Gambia, H.E. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, who has been instrumental in fighting cancer through advocacy for cancer education and prevention, including making advanced cancer treatment available to more patients.