Spread Cancer Awareness

Worldwide Disease

Once considered a “Western” disease, cancer has now spread throughout the world. Ace Cancer Care Inc. understands that we must promote awareness to people who lack the necessary access to cancer education and resources.

Cancer, A Growing Problem in Africa

Ace Cancer Care was founded in 2005 as a result of the looming cancer predictions for Africa by the World Health Organization and other International health bodies. Africa, a continent of developing countries is ill equipped for the devastation that will be wrought by cancer by the year 2020. Africa lacks the infrastructure, expertise, and technology to halt cancer in its track. This is compounded by the complete lack of cancer awareness that exist in the various communities of Africa. People still think cancer is a consequence of the evil spirit.

Other compounding factors include:

In Africa, 80% of cancer cases present with very late disease. Cancer is a sentence to painful and distressing death, because treatment and care are lacking.  Unless we take action now to make a difference, the existing health care infrastructure in Africa will be overwhelmed by the predicted increase in cancer incidence coming down the road.

• According to WHO, when it comes to cancer,
• 1/3 can be prevented, another
• 1/3 can be effectively treated with early diagnosis.
• Last 1/3 can have their quality of life improved through palliative care.

ACCI is here to make a difference. We are committed to cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and improved quality of life for those who present late through promotion of palliative care. We also work to provide meaningful existence for cancer survivors through rehabilitation and personal enrichment.

Highlights

• Another African epidemic is taking the spotlight, “cancer”.
• Experts say aging and infectious diseases are increasing Africa’s cancer burden.
• More than any other region in the developing world, sub-Saharan Africa faces the twin burden of non-infectious and infectious diseases.
• Now, count cancer among the non-communicable ailments taking a growing toll in Africa.
• Breast cancer incidence is on the rise among African women.
• Cervical & Breast Cancer are the principal cause of death among African Women.
• Peak age of breast cancer occurrence among black women is 30 to 40 years (10 years earlier than Caucasian women).
• Late presentation is the hallmark of breast cancer and other cancers among African men & women.
• 70% of African women present late compared to 30% in developed countries.
• Presentation is so late that treatment is not beneficial.
• 5-year survival is 10% for Africa compared to 70% in developed countries.
• In Africa, cancer is a sentence to painful and distressing death, because treatment and care are lacking.” 

Cancer in Africa

For decades, the burden of disease in developing countries including countries in Africa, was attributed to infectious disease, a consequence of the topography of the region, poverty, poor sanitation, hunger, drought, and the lack of education and adequate health care. The most common infectious diseases are Malaria, diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Avian Influenza. The burden of disease has in recent times changed for the developing world.  Chronic diseases have become huge problems. This change in type of disease burden is a result of technology, diet, sedentary lifestyle, use of tobacco and alcohol, poor healthcare, lack of education, and new types of infection. The most common chronic diseases facing developing countries are coronary artery disease, cancer, respiratory problems, and diabetes.

Cancer once considered a “Western” disease, is now a disease of the developing parts of the world. Fifty per cent of the world’s cancer burden, in terms of both numbers of cases and deaths, already occurs in developing countries. Cancer has therefore emerged as a major public health problem in developing African countries for the first time, matching its effect in industrialized nations. When viewed in terms of mortality, there is little difference between developed and developing countries. The chance of a man dying from cancer before age 65 is just 18 percent higher in developed countries, whereas for women in developing countries this risk is actually higher than in the developed world (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2006).