Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Cancer in South Africa- statistics & facts
Cancer in South Africa and Africa in general is a growing concern as there are increasing incidences and mortality rates. Despite this, cancer is not on the list of high priorities as mortality rates for other diseases, such as Tuberculosis and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), are higher. In 2022, the number of new cancer cases in Africa has shown a growing number of cancer incidences compared to 2020. Breast cancer was Africa's leading cause of cancer-related deaths, followed by cervical and liver cancer, respectively. However, most alarmingly, colon cancer related deaths have more than doubled since 2020. The high incidences of cancer necessitate improving awareness around cancer and its associated risk factors. Additionally, improvements in healthcare infrastructure and regular screenings should be encouraged among the population so that those afflicted with cancer can receive timely treatment.
