By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – World Health Agency on Wednesday has warned that 135,000 women could die from preventable breast cancer by 2040 in sub-Saharan Africa without urgent action.
According to a WHO study in 42 of the region’s 47 countries, there are significant gaps and disparities in breast cancer control.
It said that key findings included a critical shortage of healthcare workers who are essential for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
WHO said tackling breast cancer is limited by a lack of access to specialized cancer centers.
UN health agency found that only 5 out of 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have regular breast cancer screening programmes.
Lab screening facilities are lacking, with only two countries meeting the standard of one lab per 100,000 people.
WHO insisted that breast cancer-related deaths in the region continue to be driven by late diagnosis and insufficient prevention and care. Much more healthcare investment is needed.
In 2022 the UN agency said that 38 out of every 100,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 19 per 100,000 died from the disease.
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