During a recent press conference in Freetown, Physician Len Gordon-Harris from Cancer UK Salone Charity shared alarming statistics regarding cancer deaths in Sierra Leone.
According to data from GLOBOCAN for 2020, a total of 3,389 recorded cancer deaths were reported. Among these, 2,000 were women and 1,389 were men.
Dr. Gordon-Harris expressed his concerns over the low survival rate attributed to several factors, including inadequate screening and services for early detection, limited access to local healthcare, low economic and educational levels, a shortage of health professionals, insufficient diagnostic facilities, and lack of treatment options.
Referring to Global Cancer Data (GLOBOCAN) 2020, Dr. Gordon-Harris noted that Sierra Leone had approximately 4,708 cancer cases, with 1,836 cases in men and 2,876 cases in women.
Particularly concerning was the prevalence of prostate cancer among men of color compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Dr. Gordon-Harris pointed out that globally, one in eight men gets diagnosed with prostate cancer, and among them, one in four black men are at risk.
He stressed the importance of early testing, recommending that white men in their 50s and black men in their 40s should undergo testing.
Dr. Gordon-Harris emphasized that prostate cancer doesn’t only affect the individual diagnosed; it also impacts their families. Detecting the disease early is crucial for better outcomes, and he urged men in their forties and above to get tested.
The press conference also highlighted the positive impact of a recent donation from the District Lodge of Sierra Leone and the Gambia to Cancer UK-Salone. The institution plans to launch Prostate Cancer SL, an initiative aimed at educating people about the disease, providing guidance on combating it, and facilitating diagnosis and treatment.
In light of these figures, concerns are rising about the state of cancer survival rates in Sierra Leone. The medical community and organizations like Cancer UK-Salone are working to raise awareness and provide resources to address this pressing issue.
