About Afrox

AfrOx is a new organisation, set up by Prof David Kerr, University of Oxford, whose mission is to use a multidisciplinary approach to improve cancer prevention and control in Africa.

Background
Cancer is a global problem accounting for 12.5% of all deaths worldwide, a greater percentage than is caused by HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined. By 2020 there are expected to be 15 million new cases of cancer every year, 70% of which will be in developing countries, where governments are least prepared to address the growing cancer burden and where survival rates are often less than half those of more developed countries.  African countries are the least able of all developing countries to cope, having few cancer care services. Lack of resources and basic infrastructure mean that most Africans have no access to cancer screening, early diagnosis, treatment or palliative care.  In addition, in many African countries the combined effects of cancer, poverty, deprivation and infectious diseases hinder the development of a sustainable population and consequently a sustainable future.

Way Forward
The only way to effectively prevent, detect and treat the rising number of cancers in the Africa is to develop an international alliance of research institutions, international organizations, NGOs, national governments in developed and developing countries and the pharmaceutical industry. Strong local and international leadership is essential as is integration of clinical and public health systems.  A comprehensive cancer control strategy must bring together prevention, early detection and diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and the investment needed to deliver these services in terms of trained staff, equipment, relevant drugs and information systems, as well as public education.  Our vision for cancer control in Africa is a model authored by the Member State, with technical, policy and financial support provided by inter-agency alliances and governments in the developed world.   African governments must be the driving force behind implementing cancer control in their countries with support at every level provided by the international alliance and funds provided by governments and private donors. Only in this way can achievable and sustainable national cancer plans that are evidence based, priority driven and resource appropriate for African countries be developed, and AfrOx are committed to doing this.

There are grounds for optimism. With concerted early action cancer in Africa is a disease that can be tackled.

There are six fundamental areas of cancer control that from the cornerstones of comprehensive cancer control programmes and AfrOx will focus on these …>>>More