Mozambique is Prioritizing Cancers Affecting Women and Children

The sub-Saharan African country of Mozambique is currently experiencing a high burden of infectious disease coupled with a growing burden of non-communicable diseases including cancer. To address this challenge, the IAEA, the World Health Organization (WHO), MD Anderson Cancer Center and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) sent a team of experts to the country in May to carry out a comprehensive imPACT Review of the country's existing National Cancer Control Programme, at the request of Mozambique's government. Cancers affecting women and children were high on the agenda of the review.

"The rising numbers of cancer cases in Mozambique is of great concern and the Government is taking action to expand access to diagnosis and treatment, as well as further integration of cancer services within the primary health system," said Armindo Tiago, Mozambique's Minister of Health.

According to IARC's GLOBOCAN estimates, more than 26 000 cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Mozambique, with cervical cancer accounting for a third of all cancers among women. The number of Mozambicans with cancer is expected to more than double from current levels by 2045.

The Government of Mozambique set up a ten-year National Cancer Control Programme in 2019 following a previous imPACT review in 2014. It is also in the process of developing a cancer investment plan with support from WHO.

Severin von Xylander from Mozambique's WHO Country Office said: "We are working closely with the National Cancer Control Programme in Mozambique to prioritize the prevention and early detection of cancers affecting women and children in line with the respective global cancer control initiatives."