Cancer cases in SA almost double in last 20 years - can our healthcare system cope?
Experts are pointing to the rise in cancer diagnoses as South Africa's next major public health emergency.
Hospital drip, patient, medical treatment. Unsplash/Olga Kononenko
CapeTalk's John Maytham interviews specialist surgeon Dr Liana Roodt, executive director of the Cancer Alliance of SA.
The incidence of cancer diagnoses in South Africa is on the rise.
According to the National Cancer Registry (NCR), 67 434 cases were reported in 2011. This increased to 77 099 in 2021, and 87 874 in 2023.
This number is projected to jump to 120 000 in 2030, NCR epidemiologist Dr Judith Mwansa-Kambafwile told News24.
She noted that there had been increased reporting since 2011, when entities were mandated to report all cancer diagnoses to the Registry.
John Maytham talks to breast and endocrine surgeon Dr Liana Roodt, executive director of the Cancer Alliance of SA.
This rise in cancer cases is a trend worldwide, Dr Roodt says, but in South Africa it is compounded by our healthcare system challengers.
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Looking at our own statistics, the numbers have virtually doubled over the past 20 years.
To answer the question of why, it would have to be a layered answer because there are so many factors at play, she says.
We need to keep in mind, firstly, that there is an increased awareness of cancer, Dr Roodt emphasizes.
"Depending on whether you have health insurance or not, there is increased screening, so more cancers get picked up. People are also more likely to speak about a diagnosis where previously it was not done."
Dr Liana Roodt, Executive Director - Cancer Alliance of SA
While there is, generally speaking, better reporting globally, in South Africa there is likely a problem of underreporting to the Registry, she says.
At the same time, she goes on, South Africa is sitting with an ageing population.
"Cancer as a primary degenerative disease to a certain degree does happen in older patients."
Dr Liana Roodt, Executive Director - Cancer Alliance of SA
When it comes to younger patients, causes can be linked to lifestyle and behavioural factors, as well as environmental factors, she says.
"Environmental factors we can't do anything about, but we are starting to learn more and more about anything from air pollution to the quality of the ground that our food comes from."
Dr Liana Roodt, Executive Director - Cancer Alliance of SA
"In South Africa we also shouldn't forget that that infections, certain viruses, can predispose one to a cancer diagnosis. For instance human papillomavirus (HPV) has a very close link to cervical cancer... These are all things we need to think about and actually strategise around when we think about the management of cancer."
Dr Liana Roodt, Executive Director - Cancer Alliance of SA
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