World Cancer Day 2026: WHO urges action on cancer in Africa

WHO's Regional Director for Africa says cancer is a growing public health emergency in the African Region, with more than 1 million new cases and nearly 1 million deaths each year, and urges embedding prevention, diagnosis and treatment initiatives into national health systems.

Cancer is described as a growing public health emergency across the WHO African Region, and the Regional Director for Africa emphasizes urgency and equity on World Cancer Day 2026. The statement notes that over 1 million new cases are diagnosed each year in the Region and nearly 1 million people die annually. It highlights that solutions exist but access to prevention, timely diagnosis and treatment remains unequal for many families. The WHO lists existing regional and global initiatives and urges these to be embedded in national systems and primary care. Key facts: - The WHO Regional Director reports more than 1 million new cancer cases and nearly 1 million deaths each year in the African Region. - The statement says cancer is increasingly a leading cause of premature death and that the burden falls disproportionately on those with least access to services. - Progress cited includes expanded HPV vaccination, strengthened cervical screening, improved childhood cancer care, and integration of palliative care in some countries. - Persistent gaps noted include delayed diagnosis, service interruptions, shortages of specialized health workers, limited access to radiotherapy, pathology and essential medicines, and high out-of-pocket costs for families. Summary: The WHO message frames cancer in Africa as both a health and development challenge that requires sustained political will, domestic investment and resilient health systems. It calls for measurable results through embedding global initiatives—such as HPV vaccination and strengthened screening, treatment and palliative care—into national primary health services. Undetermined at this time