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Screenings for Breast Cancer in Ethiopia on the Rise

Screening Breast Cancer in EthiopiaBreast cancer is the most common cancer found in females in both developed and developing countries. The occurrence of this cancer is soaring in developing countries due to factors such as increases in life expectancy, the expansion of urbanization and the endorsement of a more Western lifestyle. Breast cancer in Ethiopia is becoming the most prevalent disease among Ethiopian women, surpassing cervical cancer.

Many factors are known to contribute to breast cancer in women, such as the age at which women deliver children, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, uncontrolled consumption of alcohol and the lifestyle a woman lives.

Some of these factors might be reduced with lifestyle changes. However, prevention cannot eliminate the majority of breast cancer diagnosed in very late stages in low and middle-income communities. Early detection is important in order to improve breast cancer outcomes.

Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon (PRRR) is a global partnership comprised of national governments, corporations, foundations and NGOs, all working with the same intent: to reduce deaths caused by cervical and breast cancer in low- and middle-income communities.

By mobilizing resources from its cohorts, PRRR and its collaborators work on interventions ranging from prevention to medical care by educating the community about cancer, vaccinating young girls against HPV, screening women for breast cancer and cervical cancer and increasing access to treatments.

PRRR began supporting the government of Ethiopia in 2014 with the formation of a comprehensive cancer control program. With backing from PRRR and the Mathiwos Wondu Ye-Ethiopia Cancer Society, the first National Cancer-Control Plan (NCCP) was launched in October 2015 by Ethiopia’s first lady, Roman Tesfaye.

The plan is to launch five cancer treatment centers in the country, relieving the burden on the Tikur Ambessa Hospital in Addis Ababa. The government has committed $12 million to develop these centers at teaching hospitals in the areas of Mek’ele, Gondar, Jima, Hawassa and Haromaya.

The NCCP also called for cancer screenings to be offered in all of Ethiopia at locations known as “Screen-and-Treat” sites, which will be available in 118 locations. PRRR is pleased to contribute technological and monetary assistance to complement the investments of the Ethiopian government to implement this vision.

PRRR is also backing the government of Ethiopia in opening more cervical and breast cancer screening locations in the two most populated regions and Addis Ababa.

With foundations like Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon breaking ground in Ethiopia where there are not many resources available to most women, the awareness of breast cancer in Ethiopia is becoming much greater. With continued work, more progress will be made in the prevention and early detection of the disease.

– Zainab Adebayo

Photo: Google

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Fighting Cancer in Resource-Poor Countries for $1.72

Cancer in Resource-Poor Countries
In 2012, 3.5 million women died from cancer. Women are diagnosed with cervical and breast cancer at a rate of about 2 million per year, and the diseases’ outcome can largely be predicted by geography. According to The Lancet, 62 percent of deaths resulting from breast cancer occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Similarly, 87 percent of deaths due to cervical cancer occurred in resource-poor countries. Clearly, fighting cancer in resource-poor countries can be difficult.

These trends are even more concerning given that the number of cancer-related deaths among women is expected to increase to 5.5 million by 2030. Over this same time period, the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer is expected to nearly double, and the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer is expected to increase by 25 percent.

Most global health efforts targeted toward women focus on sexual and reproductive health. However, non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, dementia, depression and musculoskeletal disorders constitute the greatest threats to women’s health. Indeed, breast cancer and cervical cancer result in three times as many deaths as childbirth and pregnancy complications do.

Further, the global economic burden of cancer is sizable ($286 billion in 2009), primarily because it keeps people out of the workforce and can lead to premature death. Addressing the burden of cancer on women’s health could lead to increased female participation in activities that benefit countries’ economies.

Even in more developed countries, cancer screenings and appropriate treatments are not equally available to all groups. Women belonging to ethnic and cultural minorities, in particular, may not have access to essential health care.

However, cancer screening and treatment is not as costly as is often assumed. As little as $1.72 per person could provide essential medical interventions to diagnose and treat cancer effectively. This amount is about 3 percent of current health care spending in resource-poor countries.

Mammograms for breast cancer screening and radiography for cancer treatment are not often available in low- and middle-income countries. A series of articles from The Lancet recommended increasing the availability of the HPV vaccine for girls and providing cost-effective screening procedures like clinical breast examinations and cervical cancer screenings through visual inspection with acetic acid.

The articles also called for mastectomy and tamoxifen treatments to be made available to people fighting cancer in resource-poor countries by 2030. The Lancet cited Mexico and Thailand as examples of countries where universal health care coverage has improved the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of cancer in women.

– Madeline Reding

Photo: Flickr