Cancer care ‘transforming’ in next decade

The cancer burden in Sub-Saharan Africa is rising. It is set to nearly double by 2030, with cancer deaths predicted to reach one million yearly  without intervention, a report by The Lancet Commission shows. 

In the first episode of a special three-part mini-series, Africa Science Focus reporter Michael Kaloki speaks to the experts who unpack the reasons that 80 percent of people in the region prefer traditional and alternate medicine. We find out how this affects diagnosis and treatment, and hear how cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa could transform over the next ten years.

The episode features Beatrice Wiafe Addai, breast surgeon and chief executive officer of the Peace and Love Hospitals; president and founder of Breast Care.

Gladys Nyachieo, senior lecturer, department of sociology at the multimedia University of Kenya, and Andrew Odhiambo, oncologist and lecturer at the University of Nairobi, are also featured.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.