The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 40 people are diagnosed with cancer globally every minute.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared this sobering statistic in a post on his X handle, marking World Cancer Day on February 4.
He emphasized, “Every minute, 40 people are diagnosed with #cancer globally and embark on a journey to overcome it.”
The day, aimed at raising awareness and fostering global efforts against cancer, highlighted this year’s theme, “United by Unique,” focusing on personalized cancer care and collective action.
The WHO also revealed that Africa faces an escalating cancer crisis, with over 900,000 new cases and 580,000 deaths recorded in 2022.
Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the region, while prostate cancer is on the rise in men.
Without immediate intervention, the WHO warns that cancer deaths in Africa could rise by over 70% by 2040.
To combat this, WHO urges member states to improve access to cancer treatment, increase early detection, and invest in education and preventative measures such as HPV vaccination.
The organization emphasizes the need for comprehensive healthcare systems to offer affordable cancer care to everyone, advocating for the integration of cancer services into broader health programs.
