Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet many cancer deaths are preventable. As we mark World Cancer Day on February 4, we reflect on where we are, what remains unequal, and how collective effort can transform cancer outcomes, especially in low and middle income countries.
Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterised by uncontrolled cell growth that can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body. There are over one hundred different types of cancer, affecting nearly every organ system.
Globally, millions of new cancer cases are diagnosed each year, with a significant proportion occurring in low resource settings. In many African countries, cancer is often diagnosed late, treatment options are limited, and survival rates are lower compared to high income countries. These disparities are not inevitable. They are largely driven by differences in access to prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day was initiated by the Union for International Cancer Control to unite individuals, organisations, and governments around a shared goal of reducing cancer related suffering. Each year, the day focuses on a global theme, with recent campaigns emphasising the need to close the care gap.
Closing the care gap means recognising that where a person lives, how much they earn, their level of education, and their access to healthcare should not determine whether they survive cancer. It also means addressing social, economic, cultural, and systemic barriers that prevent people from receiving timely and effective cancer care.
Cancer Prevention
A large proportion of cancers can be prevented by addressing known risk factors. Prevention remains the most cost effective and sustainable approach to reducing cancer incidence worldwide.
Key cancer prevention strategies include:
- Avoiding tobacco use in all forms, including smoking and smokeless tobacco
- Reducing harmful alcohol consumption
- Adopting a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Maintaining regular physical activity and a healthy body weight
- Protecting against excessive sun exposure
- Reducing exposure to environmental and occupational carcinogens
- Receiving vaccinations against cancer related infections such as human papillomavirus and hepatitis B
Oral health also plays an important role in cancer prevention. Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and poor oral hygiene are major risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Integrating oral health promotion into public health programmes can significantly reduce cancer risk.
Early Detection and Screening Save Lives
Early detection increases the chances of successful treatment and improves survival outcomes. Unfortunately, many cancers in Africa and other low resource settings are diagnosed at advanced stages due to lack of awareness, limited screening programmes, and poor access to diagnostic services.
Screening and early detection strategies include:
- Breast cancer screening through clinical breast examination and mammography
- Cervical cancer screening using visual inspection methods and HPV testing
- Colorectal cancer screening
- Oral cancer screening through routine oral examinations
Raising community awareness about early warning signs of cancer is equally important. Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, unusual bleeding, non healing ulcers, or lumps should never be ignored.
Treatment, Palliative Care, and Quality of Life
Effective cancer care goes beyond diagnosis. It includes timely access to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care. In many settings, treatment is either unavailable or unaffordable, leading to preventable deaths and suffering.
Palliative care is an essential component of comprehensive cancer care. It focuses on pain relief, symptom management, psychological support, and dignity for patients and their families. Access to palliative care should be considered a basic human right, not a luxury.
Strengthening health systems, training healthcare professionals, and integrating cancer services into primary healthcare are critical steps toward improving cancer outcomes.
The Role of Research, Education, and Innovation
Cancer research is essential for understanding disease patterns, identifying risk factors, improving treatments, and shaping effective policies. Local research is particularly important in Africa, where cancer profiles and risk factors may differ from those in other regions.
Education and capacity building empower healthcare workers, researchers, and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, detect, and manage cancer effectively. Digital health tools, artificial intelligence, and innovative training models offer new opportunities to expand access to cancer education and services.
At Orapuh, we believe that research communication, open knowledge, and thoughtful innovation can strengthen expertise and democratise access to high quality health education in oral and public health.
World Cancer Day and the African Context
In Africa, cancer is often overshadowed by infectious diseases, yet its burden is rising rapidly. Population growth, urbanisation, lifestyle changes, and ageing are contributing to increased cancer incidence across the continent.
Addressing cancer in Africa requires context specific solutions that prioritise prevention, community engagement, primary healthcare, and equitable access to care. Partnerships between academic institutions, governments, civil society, and international organisations are essential for sustainable progress.
World Cancer Day provides a platform to amplify African voices, share local evidence, and advocate for policies that place cancer prevention and care at the centre of national health agendas.
World Cancer Day reminds us that everyone has a role to play in the fight against cancer. Individuals can adopt healthier lifestyles and seek early care. Health professionals can advocate for evidence based practice and compassionate care. Institutions can invest in education, research, and health system strengthening. Policymakers can prioritise equitable access to cancer services.
At Orapuh, we stand committed to advancing knowledge, strengthening capacity, and supporting initiatives that reduce the cancer burden and close the care gap in oral and public health.
Cancer is not just a medical issue. It is a social, economic, and moral challenge. Together, through awareness, prevention, and collective action, we can build a future where fewer people develop cancer and more people survive it.