Cancer in East and Central Africa: aspects of incidence and prevention

ABSTRACT

"Abstract the cancer pattern in East and Central Africa differs in many ways from that seen in Europe and North america.There are also local variations in the incidence of some tumours within this region; these patterns are related to environmental influences. Carcinoma of the lung; breast; large bowel; prostate; endometrium all have lower rates than in Western populations. The low consumption of tobacco and diaetary pattern of East African may account for these findings. Carcinoma of the liver; cervix; penis; Burkitt's lymphoma; Kaposi's sarcoma; oesophageal carcinoma and choriocarcinoma are more common than in the West. The causes of these; and particularly the role of viruses; are discussed. Cancer prevention in this region should aim to stope the increase in ""Western"" cancers and to attack the known aetiological factors associated with the common malignant tumours."