Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, a situation worsened by late diagnoses and limited access to advanced medical care, even as global experts have said over 90 per cent of cases in Africa are diagnosed at a late stage, leading to a five-year survival rate of less than one per cent.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with an estimated two million diagnoses and 1.8 million deaths annually. According to the Global Cancer Observatory 2020, the incidence of lung cancer in various regions of Africa is as follows: South Africa is 27.5 and 9.3, North Africa is 19.3 and 3.5, East Africa 4.2 and 3.0, Middle Africa 3.4 and 1.8, and West Africa is 2.8 and 1.8 all per 100,000 for males and females, respectively.
African cluster country president at AstraZeneca, Deepak Arora, told LEADERSHIP Weekend that over 90 per cent of cases in Africa is diagnosed at a late stage, adding that early detection through regular screening can significantly improve these grim statistics.
Arora said AstraZeneca is committed to enhancing health outcomes for lung cancer patients through initiatives that support prevention, early detection and patient advocacy and aims to ensure that advanced treatments are accessible to all who need them.
One such intervention is the Connect to Care initiative, developed in collaboration with Axios International. This program is designed to improve the diagnostic journey for lung cancer patients by ensuring timely and accurate diagnoses. Introduced in partnership with local medical associations, including the Kenya Association of Clinical Pathologists, Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology, and Kenya Association of Radiologists, the program focuses on multidisciplinary collaboration, which is critical in the diagnostic and treatment journey of lung cancer patients.
“Our mission at AstraZeneca is to bridge the gap in lung cancer care across Africa. By improving access to diagnostics and treatments, we aim to transform the landscape of lung cancer outcomes on the continent. We are dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote early detection and patient advocacy, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to receive timely and effective care,” Arora added.