Cancer cases on the rise in Sudan

A survey carried out by the Sudanese Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed a growing number of cancer cases in the country.

The survey was conducted by taking samples from health centres and hospitals in Sudan between 2009 and 2013, the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported on Thursday.

11,893 cases of cancer were recorded. Breast cancer scored the highest rate, with 6,809 cases, followed by prostate cancer, leukaemia, lymphatic cancer, and rectum cancer.

WHO representative Dr Alaa Ali El Nur stated in her presentation at the workshop on the First Report of Cancer Registration in Sudan in Khartoum on Thursday that according to the samples, 2,945 cases of prostate cancer were recorded in the survey period. 2,737 cases of leukaemia were recorded.

The Northern State has recorded the highest percentage in the country, followed by Khartoum and the River Nile states.

The rise of cancer cases in northern Sudan has been attributed to both the use of chemicals by gold diggers, and the alleged burying of nuclear waste in the region. El Gezira state in central Sudan also reported a rise in cancer cases, most probably resulting from the use of certain pesticides and the way the chemicals are stored and transported.