Palliative Care For Common Cancers in Africa

Globally the need for wide coverage of Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Care service has become an urgent humanitarian emergency. This is simply because HIV/AIDS and Cancer are in the higher increase from its mortality and morbidity than any other illness. By 2008 (UNAIDS) estimated over 33 millions people living with HIV/AIDS in the Global. And 75% of them were living in Sub - Sahara Africa about 22millions. WHO (2003) reported from Geneva that over 7.6 million people died of Cancer annually compared to 5.6 millions die from AIDS,TB and Malaria combined .It as also estimated that by 2010 the trend will double. This is because HIV is fueling the process of new Cancer formation (Oncogenesis). In Africa less than 5% of cancers patients will have access to specialized Cancer treatment by experts.WHO (1986) observed that in developing countries many patients will die without experts care or no access to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.It is therefore vital to develop the hand book as a noble tool to be used to train non expert (general practitioners) in the District level settings or use it as pocket guide or able to handle at least common Oncological conditions with minimal support.