Cancer rates in Egypt to increase three times by 2050

CAIRO - 30 November 2017: Cancer rates are expected to increase three times the current status by 2050, according to the National Plan for Cancer Control 2017-2020 which was prepared by the National Cancer Committee at the Ministry of Health on Thursday.

The National Cancer Control Plan confirmed that the current rates are 113 per 100 thousand inhabitants and are expected to increase to 341 per 100 thousand inhabitants, revealing that the hit rate for males in liver cancer is 33.63 percent, while lung cancer is 5.69 percent. Females have a 32.04 percent hit rate in breast cancer, 13.54 percent in liver cancer and 4.12 percent in ovarian cancer.

The plan has also identified four factors that lead to developing cancer cells, which are namely smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and consuming alcohol excessively. Currently, the percentage of smokers stand at 24 percent, while 72 percent do not exercise, and 95 percent consume less than the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

The aim of this plan is to expand the National Cancer Registry and prevent cancer risk by implementing early detection programs, improving the quality of life, curing cancer patients, and promoting national cancer research.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the “second leading cause of death globally, and was responsible for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. Globally, nearly 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer.” While about 70 percent of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries.