Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide and will claim ten million lives in 2020.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia, Rolf Hansen, emphasised early detection and prevention as key methods to fight the disease.
Hansen addressed the opening of the Cancer Association of Namibia's Community Health Care Clinic and Patient Support Centre in Windhoek.
The primary objective of the centre is to raise community awareness about cancer prevention measures and early detection and to enhance available treatment options.
Hansen further states that this would lead to a significant improvement in the promotion of quality of life and palliative care for patients.
"By investing in cancer control, we can thus reduce the financial burden by preventing advanced-stage cancers and providing cost-effective treatment options. Cancer prevention and education programmes can significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients by offering timely and appropriate interventions, symptoms management, and support care services, including palliative care."
Hansen adds that late-stage cancer diagnoses are common in the country and urges people to make an effort to be screened.
The Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Taimi Amaambo, pointed out that the centre will provide an evidence-based approach to cancer prevention and treatment.
"I am reliably informed that the community care clinic is designed to reach a wide range of audiences, including schools, workplaces, and community groups, with the primary objective of raising awareness about cancer prevention measures, early detection, and available treatment options. I am also very pleased to observe that the objectives of the community care clinic are well aligned with our national strategic framework, including the national guidelines on the prevention of non-communicable diseases."
Amaambo also highlighted the fact that cervical cancer remains dominant among the types of cancer on record in the country.
"We admitted 1,637 patients for cervical cancer alone. Out of these, 127 patients died because of the severity of their conditions. 4,876 patients were admitted for all types of cancer. Out of this, 395 patients died because of the severity of their conditions. Therefore, the importance of community education on cancer prevention and treatment cannot be overemphasised."
The centre is located at 98 John Meinert Street, Windhoek West.