Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Africa, a continent abundant in natural resources yet facing economic and cultural challenges. This study investigates the burden of cancer in Africa, leveraging data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to highlight the need for targeted healthcare interventions and policy reforms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed cancer incidence, prevalence, mortality rates, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years per 100 000 population across 54 African countries from 1990 to 2021. The study categorized malignancies into eight major organ systems and utilized the Social Demographic Index (SDI) to examine socioeconomic disparities. Joinpoint regression analysis and Pearson correlation were employed to assess temporal trends and relationships between socioeconomic factors and cancer outcomes. RESULTS: The data revealed that breast cancer is the most prevalent and deadliest cancer among females, while prostate cancer leads in incidence and mortality among males. Digestive system cancers, particularly colon and rectum cancer, are also on the rise. Significant regional disparities exist, with different cancer types predominating in various regions. Socioeconomic factors, measured by SDI, showed varied impacts on cancer incidence, with higher SDI regions generally having better detection and reporting but also higher exposure to certain risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the urgent need for region-specific cancer control strategies in Africa.