Namibia embarks on cancer crusade
• Understanding breast, prostate cancer
The project will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and healthcare professionals across the globe, who will collaborate to collect and analyse data on incidence and mortality rates.
Jemimah NdebeleWindhoek
The health ministry has launched a cancer research project aimed at understanding why individuals of African descent are at a higher risk of developing breast and prostate cancer.
Additionally, research on why these disparities exist and which factors contribute to the differences in health outcomes will be conducted.
The project will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and healthcare professionals across the globe, including Namibia, who will collaborate to collect and analyse data on incidence and mortality rates.
“The team will investigate the genetic, environmental and social factors that contribute to these disparities.
“This research will help us understand why people of African descent are at higher risk of developing breast and prostate cancers and what can be done to reduce these disparities. It will aid in closing the gaps of missing data in low- and middle-income countries,” health minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said.
According to the ministry, the project is aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of breast and prostate cancers, enrich the country’s cancer registry data and provide training and education opportunities for Namibian healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of these cancers and enhance their skills in the research, diagnosis, treatment and management of these diseases.
The findings will inform service providers on what measures to put in place to prevent the occurrence of cancers in the first place, and what interventions to employ.
Possible challenge
Shangula said the only possible challenge to the study would be if the number of patients recruited is not enough to guarantee the necessary power of the study.
“This is, however, unlikely as we know that cancers of breast and prostate are widespread and the study is not confined to one country only.
“This gives the confidence that the results of the study may be generalised to the general population in many jurisdictions.
“The study will also carry out awareness-raising to encourage patients to enrol and to minimise refusals,” he added.
The health ministry has launched a cancer research project aimed at understanding why individuals of African descent are at a higher risk of developing breast and prostate cancer.
Additionally, research on why these disparities exist and which factors contribute to the differences in health outcomes will be conducted.
The project will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and healthcare professionals across the globe, including Namibia, who will collaborate to collect and analyse data on incidence and mortality rates.
“The team will investigate the genetic, environmental and social factors that contribute to these disparities.
“This research will help us understand why people of African descent are at higher risk of developing breast and prostate cancers and what can be done to reduce these disparities. It will aid in closing the gaps of missing data in low- and middle-income countries,” health minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said.
According to the ministry, the project is aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of breast and prostate cancers, enrich the country’s cancer registry data and provide training and education opportunities for Namibian healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of these cancers and enhance their skills in the research, diagnosis, treatment and management of these diseases.
The findings will inform service providers on what measures to put in place to prevent the occurrence of cancers in the first place, and what interventions to employ.
Possible challenge
Shangula said the only possible challenge to the study would be if the number of patients recruited is not enough to guarantee the necessary power of the study.
“This is, however, unlikely as we know that cancers of breast and prostate are widespread and the study is not confined to one country only.
“This gives the confidence that the results of the study may be generalised to the general population in many jurisdictions.
“The study will also carry out awareness-raising to encourage patients to enrol and to minimise refusals,” he added.
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