The Africa cancer crisis is worsening as healthcare experts warn that inadequate funding, limited access to treatment and a severe shortage of specialists are driving preventable deaths across the continent.
Medical leaders issued the warning during the Best of ASCO Africa Conference, where they called on African governments to make cancer prevention and treatment a national priority through coordinated investments and stronger healthcare policies.
They argued that while medical breakthroughs continue to improve cancer survival rates globally, millions of Africans remain unable to benefit because of fragile health systems and rising treatment costs.
Africa cancer crisis demands urgent investment
Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Prof. Usman Aliyu, said African countries already possess the knowledge needed to reduce cancer mortality.
According to him, the challenge lies in translating proven strategies into coordinated action.
Aliyu stressed that governments, healthcare providers and development partners must work together to expand prevention programmes, strengthen early detection and improve access to treatment.
He added that the time has come for African countries to replace policy discussions with measurable action capable of saving lives.
Experts seek stronger healthcare financing
Participants at the conference said sustainable healthcare financing remains one of the biggest obstacles to improving cancer care.
Director of Human Health at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. May Abdel-Wahab, urged governments to rely on epidemiological evidence when deciding where to invest limited healthcare resources.
She explained that prevention offers the greatest long-term value, but countries must also expand diagnostic services, treatment facilities and palliative care to improve survival rates.
According to her, careful planning allows governments to maximise the impact of every healthcare investment.
Specialist shortages threaten patient survival
Healthcare professionals identified the shortage of oncology specialists as another major factor fueling the Africa cancer crisis.
Dr. Theoneste Manirababa of the Rwanda Cancer Centre said many patients experience lengthy delays before receiving specialist attention.
He explained that many individuals move through several health facilities before obtaining an accurate diagnosis, allowing cancers to progress to advanced stages.
Manirababa also urged African governments to strengthen health insurance systems so patients can access comprehensive treatment without suffering financial hardship.
Political will remains essential
National Coordinator of Nigeria’s National Cancer Control Programme, Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, said stronger political commitment is needed to improve cancer outcomes across Africa.
He argued that cancer continues to receive inadequate attention despite becoming one of the continent’s leading causes of death.
Nwokwu noted that many trained oncology professionals leave African countries because of poor infrastructure and limited opportunities to practise effectively.
He said governments must prioritise investments in screening programmes, diagnostic equipment, treatment centres and workforce development.
Nigeria faces rising cancer burden
Health experts warned that Nigeria remains among the countries carrying the heaviest cancer burden in sub-Saharan Africa.
The country records an estimated 127,000 new cancer cases and nearly 80,000 deaths each year, with breast, cervical, prostate, liver and colorectal cancers accounting for many diagnoses.
Across Africa, more than one million new cancer cases and over 700,000 deaths are recorded annually, with population growth and ageing expected to push those figures even higher.
Late diagnosis, limited radiotherapy facilities and the high cost of treatment continue to reduce survival rates across many countries.
NICRAT expands early detection initiatives
Aliyu said the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment has introduced new programmes aimed at improving early diagnosis and patient access to care.
The institute has established the National Initiative on Cancer Aiding Detection, Treatment and Referral Network alongside a Preventive Epidemiology Centre to expand screening services nationwide.
It also operates a national cancer registry that collects patient data to support disease surveillance, evaluate treatment outcomes and guide evidence-based policymaking.
Experts said reversing the Africa cancer crisis will require sustained investment, stronger healthcare systems, improved regional collaboration and greater political commitment to ensure that millions of patients gain timely access to quality cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
