AfrOx is an organisation that aims to enable the
delivery of comprehensive cancer care to African
countries where it is most needed
AfrOx is a new organisation, set up by Prof David Kerr, University of Oxford, whose mission is to enable the delivery of comprehensive cancer care to Africa. It will play a leading co-ordinating role in bringing together relevant organisations and individuals, with funds from government and private donors, to develop achievable and sustainable national cancer plans that are evidence based and resource appropriate for African countries.
Cancer already causes more deaths each year worldwide than HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined. By 2020 there are expected to be 15 million new cases of cancer every year, 70 per cent of which will be in developing countries, which are least prepared to address the growing cancer burden. Survival rates are often less than half those of more developed countries, and there is little pain relief. In Africa, which will account for over a million new cancer cases a year, cancer is a sentence to a painful and distressing death. Life-saving radiotherapy is available in only 21 of Africa's 53 countries, or to less than 20 per cent of the total population. Lack of resources and basic infrastructure mean that millions of people have no access to cancer screening, early diagnosis, treatment or palliative care. At the same time, over one third of cancer deaths are due to preventable causes such as viral infection, poor nutrition and widespread tobacco use.
AfrOx, with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held a meeting in London on May 10 & 11th 2007 to discuss Cancer Control in Africa (click here for details).
Download the Report on the African Cancer Reform Conference (Word format)
