Cancer in Africa

The burden of cancer is growing in Africa because of the aging and growth of the population, as well as the adoption of “westernized” lifestyles such as consumption of calorie-dense food and unsaturated fat, physical inactivity, and reduced fertility rate. Africa, however, is a very heterogeneous continent with respect to religion, culture, and dietary pattern, as is its cancer profile across regions. For example, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men is prostate cancer in South Africa, liver cancer in Niger, and colorectal cancer in Ethiopia. The causes and prevention of cancer are understudied in the continent, however. This collection of articles highlights the current issues in the epidemiology of cancer in Africa, from understanding of environment and biological risk factors for the occurrence of major cancers such as breast, cervical, and esophageal cancers, to emerging trends in cancer rates. In one of the studies, investigators underscore the need for region-specific risk assessment tools for breast cancer. Curated by Ahmedin Jemal, DVM, PhD, Senior Editor of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention; Senior Vice President, Surveillance & Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society.