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The first African ladies are asking for improved systems that can detect cancer in its infancy, as part of a broader approach to contain the disease, especially among women and girls.
They made the call on Wednesday at the African Women's Round Table on Breast and Cervical Cancer, organized by the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV / AIDS, on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly. .
The First Lady of Rwanda, Jeannette Kagame, shared her experiences with Rwanda, highlighting the status of cancer, current interventions and challenges.
OAFLA Discussion Group on Breast and Cervical Cancer in Africa, on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly.
The first lady, who participated in the roundtable with President Paul Kagame, highlighted human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaigns conducted throughout the country to ensure that girls aged 12 years old stories.
Key points raised and discussed during the roundtable include the need to improve systems so that cancer can be detected more quickly, using affordable methods whenever necessary, and building capacity through partnerships. public-private.
The event aimed to address the socio-economic issues affecting girls and women at risk.
According to statistics from global health organizations, cancer is responsible for one in six deaths worldwide, more than HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
An estimated 14.1 million cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide and 8.2 million are cancer deaths. According to the WHO, about 70% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, many of which do not have adequate medical resources and health systems to cope with the disease.
In Africa, the burden of cancer is getting heavier.
For example, the WHO says that in 2012, there were about 846,961 new cases of cancer and 591,169 deaths.
By 2018, this number has increased to 1,055,172 new cancer cases and 693,487 cancer deaths.
In Africa, this prevalence is linked to late presentation, poor access to treatment and poor treatment outcomes.
Antoinette Sassou N 'Guesso (Congo), Ana Afonso Disa Lourenco (Angola), Auxillia Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow (R to L) and other members and delegates of the OAFLA .
The case of Rwanda
In 2016, the prevalence of cancer in Rwanda was estimated at 14,227, with an annual mortality rate of 6,444, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In 2018, this estimate was 17,997 with an annual mortality of 7,662.
More specifically, breast and cervical cancers are known to be at the root of most cancer deaths in Rwanda.
In 2012, cervical cancer accounted for 16% of all cancer cases and 13% of all cancer deaths in the country. Breast cancers accounted for 576 cancer cases, resulting in 286 deaths.
There are currently 10,704 new cases of cancer in Rwanda and 7,662 estimated deaths overall.
Over a five-year period, cervical cancer and breast cancer accounted for 2,410 cancer cases and 2,149 deaths.
Independent reporter and broadcaster and moderator of the panel, Henry Bonsu presented the illustrated results of the roundtable.
Reply
Cancer prevention and control have been integrated into the existing health system, providing Rwandans at the community level and in tertiary hospitals with a well-defined set of services.
These include awareness campaigns, screening for breast and cervical cancer, diagnosis and treatment.
The government works with community health workers, home care practitioners, local leaders, churches, and civil society to raise awareness about risk factors, signs, and symptoms of cancer to encourage regular checkups and early.
Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is encouraged and offered to 12-year-old girls during immunization campaigns and at the primary health care level. As a result, over 93% of girls have been vaccinated against HPV to date.
For women aged 30-49, screening and treatment of cervical cancer (cryotherapy) is offered in more than 52% of hospitals and health centers.
They are encouraged to carry out checks for breast and cervical cancers, among other noncommunicable diseases, as they are covered by their community health insurance.
To date, professionals from all health facilities in Rwanda are trained in early detection of cancer through clinical breast examination, while diagnostic mammography is offered to students in university hospitals.
Rwanda has five hospitals equipped with laboratories equipped to diagnose cancer.
In the country, the journey of a cancer patient begins at the primary health care level, where a qualified health professional examines suspected cancer diseases based on signs and symptoms and addresses to University hospitals for confirmation.
Among other things, palliative care services are integrated into all health facilities and have begun decentralization in the community through home care practitioners providing palliative home care.
Ms. Kagame also attended a reception hosted by the First Lady of the United States, Ms. Melania Trump, followed by an event organized by the First Lady of Niger, Dr. Lalla Malika Issoufou, on the theme "Impact of Interventions community. "
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