Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula says the statistics around cancer are sobering as many Namibians continue to die from the disease, putting a huge strain on healthcare resources.

“About one in five people develop cancer of one type or the other in their lifetime. Approximately one in nine men and one in 12 women die from the disease,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by health executive director Ben Nangombe.

He made the remarks during the deliberations on the National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) with stakeholders yesterday. 

The discussions centred around and focused on the development of the NCCP, which seeks to guide Namibia’s efforts to effectively fight against the scourge of cancer in all its manifestations.

“The government will continue implementing interventions to diagnose, treat and manage cancer in our country. Presently, cancer patients are treated in both the public and private sectors. The ministry has identified cancer prevention and treatment as an important priority,” the minister said. 

World Health Organisation country representative Dr Richard Banda stated that in Namibia, the burden of cancer is quite significant.

“According to 2020 data, Namibia reported 2 200 cases and 1 283 deaths. Cancer accounted for 19.6% of non-communicable premature deaths during the same year. Cancer incidences and mortality rates have been rising steadily. It is estimated that each year, over 3 000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Namibia, with a substantial number of deaths resulting from this disease,” he stated. Banda noted that the most common cancers affecting Namibia include breast cancer with an incidence rate of 14.4%,
followed by Kaposi Sarcoma with an

incidence rate of 12.6%, then cervical and prostate cancers with an incidence rate of 10.7% and 9.4% ,respectively. 

“However, cervical cancer is the leading cause of death, with a mortality rate of 10.9%. This is followed by breast cancer and Kaposi Sarcoma accounting for 9.9% each, and prostate cancer with a mortality rate of 8.1%. It is worth noting that these data are from 2020, and the burden is expected to be higher than what it was in 2020,” he indicated.

Banda said these statistics highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive and robust cancer control strategy in the country, including the importance of strengthening health data systems which will enable the understanding of the burden of these ailments promptly to ensure the programmes are responsive. 

He added: “The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems. 

Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries, including Namibia, are least-prepared to manage this burden, and large numbers of cancer patients globally do not have access to timely quality diagnosis and treatment.” In countries where health systems are strong, survival rates of many types of cancers are improving, thanks to accessible early detection, quality treatment and survivorship care.

The director of primary healthcare, Naemi Shoopala, said cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, contributing to over 13% of the world’s mortality.

“In Namibia, it is estimated that cancers were responsible for 5% of all mortality in 2012. Available data indicated a 47% increase in cancer cases over the past seven years. This calls for a plan of action,” stated Shoopala.

She noted that the country’s core capacity assessment must look at the Cancer Control Plan, ongoing Cancer Services/activities related to the Cancer Control Continuum, and resources related to the overall cancer control programme management, and current barriers and strengths in cancer control. “Developing and implementing NCCP is important for Namibia to set out the vision, mission, objectives  and strategies, and put them into action to reduce the national burden of cancer, to achieve global, regional and national targets,” she stated. Shoopala indicated that the NCCP will guide a holistic approach to cancer prevention and control by identifying strategies to address risk factors, including but not limited to tobacco control, reduction in alcohol misuse, sexual and reproductive factors, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. She also noted barriers to cancer care that must be addressed through the programme, which include accurate screening and clinical diagnosis, cancer stigma, poor health literacy and social-cultural barriers, among others.

“We have come together to build a national plan for all Namibians faced with cancer. From State to private patients, from countrymen and women to those in rural constituencies, and others who are just as vulnerable,” said Rolf Hansen, CEO of the Cancer Association of Namibia. He said Namibians are all dependent on efforts from various stakeholders to find solutions to the rapidly increasing burden of cancer. –psiririka@nepc.com.na