On February 4th each year, the global community celebrates World Cancer Day; a day set aside to raise awareness about cancers, its risk factors, prevention, detection, treatment and to mobilise actions to address the global cancer epidemic.
Further, the theme for this year’s event is ‘united by unique’ and the campaign focuses on a people centered approach to cancer care by placing individuals, communities and their stories at the heart of cancer care and health systems.
It is a fact that tackling cancer is one of the most formidable challenges facing our society. The disease, which knows no boundary continues to affect people across all walks of life, irrespective of gender, age or socio-economic status.
Delivering a statement in observance of the event, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, the Minister for Health acknowledged that in Africa, cancer constitutes a significant share of the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, recalling that in the year 2020, approximately, 1.1 million new cancer cases occurred on the continent with around 700,000 deaths.
As rightly stated by the Minister, cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis, it is a deeply personal matter.
This goes to show the severity of this disease. However, despite its severity through a united front, the world can end cancer once and for all.
With its growing threats posed to humanity, it is observed that “if urgent measures are not taken, cancer mortality in the region is projected to reach about 1 million deaths per year by 2030.”
This is indeed scary and calls for the need for more efforts to curb the growing threat posed by cancer. Cancer is such that it is a multi-dimensional disease that requires all hands in the fight to end it.
Thus, some of the risk factors, which includes; tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, associated dietary factors, obesity and being overweight could be avoided for one’s own health.
Also, beyond prevention, early detection is the next line of defense and this is vital. When people report to health facilities early, it helps in case management, which ultimately helps in its overall management.
According to health experts, some cancers can be cured, if detected early.
To this end, we commend the ministry and by extension the NCCP for their tremendous efforts in helping those affected by the debilitating disease.
Also, there is a need for more awareness raising about this disease in local communities and that is key. Together, we can take out cancer as a burden on the globe.