Infection-Related Cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa (original) (raw)

2017, Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite the increasing effects of regional urbanisation in most of sub-Saharan Africa, infection still remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and it accounts for 30% of all cancers in the region. The young are more commonly affected compared to the older age group in developed countries. Viruses are the most implicated organisms, and the prevalence of HIV in the sub-region has emerged as a major co-factor in cancer development. As most of these infections are preventable, the use of vaccines against carcinogenic infections has proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of majority of these group of cancers. Additionally, early detection and targeted intervention have significantly reduced the burden of infection-related cancers worldwide. While these programs have been successfully incorporated into the health care systems of industrialised nations, limited resources and a lack of tangible indicators of success have limited their effective implementation in sub-Saharan Africa. Measures aimed at increasing awareness of these cancers, effective progress evaluation, and policy-driven prioritisation of cancer prevention and treatment in the sub-region will effectively reduce their incidence and associated morbidity and mortality.