Cancer on the rise in Ethiopia: Official
Colorectal cancer is the leading cancer in males followed by leukemia and prostate cancer, according to the registry.
World Bulletin/News Desk
An Ethiopian official said Saturday that non-communicable diseases
(NCDs) and particularly cancer are alarmingly increasing in Ethiopia.
"Earlier NCDs were considered as problems affecting developed
countries," Dr. Mahlet Kifle of the Health Ministry told Anadolu Agency.
"Currently, they are affecting developing countries like Ethiopia as
the lifestyle in such countries is being changed," Kifle said.
According to the Addis Ababa Cancer Registry, a total of over 5700
cancer cases were recorded in Addis Ababa in the period from September
2011 to August 2014.
The registry indicates that females constitute 67 percent of cancer
cases in Addis Ababa, while 33 per cent are said to be males.
Breast cancer is the most common in females followed by cervix cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the leading cancer in males followed by leukemia and prostate cancer, according to the registry.
Kifle said that authorities were taking measures to raise awareness about the prevention of cancer.
"Side by side with increasing the number of treatment centers, the
Ministry has already imported medicines for cancer patients. The
medicines are sufficient for a period of one year and will be delivered
to the patients at 50 percent cost reduction," she said.
Kifle added that efforts to raise awareness about the prevention of
cancer are "well underway through the media and video productions as
part of the efforts to prevent cancer."
Ethiopia is scheduled to mark the Breast Cancer Awareness Day on
Sunday with various programs aimed at increasing awareness among the
public on the disease and early detection and treatment of cancer.
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