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.