The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) says Namibia needs to step up the fight against cancer over the next 10 years to prevent the country's health system from being crippled.
CAN Chief Executive Officer Rolf Hansen says there is an urgent need to close the gaps in the fight against cancer.
Hansen was speaking during the World Cancer Day pre-commemoration in Windhoek.
World Cancer Day is annually celebrated on the 4th of February.
Hansen emphasised that it is time for Namibia to focus on both communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, and educate primary healthcare workers to save the lives of cancer patients.
He said that there is a need to implement an effective national cancer strategy to pave the way to fighting cancer in the country.
"It is a national crisis. Worldwide cancer is increasing at such a rapid rate that pretty soon this time bomb that has now started to explode is going to be a nuclear explosion that is going to cripple our public health system. This is the message from the National International Global Report."
He says that without adequate data, nothing could be done to fight cancer; hence, there is a need to increase funding for cancer research.
"We have engaged our Health Ministry over the years, but until data becomes as important to them as it is to us, we will not win this war in Namibia. Data is critical; how do we lobby for more funding when we have no proper data to show? What is the burden of this disease? Establishing or researching a population registry? We have a population-based registry funded by the Cancer Association. The reality is that, as an organisation, it should not be our responsibility to use the funds to help patients in need."
As for this end, he said the Ministries of Health and Education should join hands to enhance health literacy and education around cancer.
The Cancer Association says it has screened a high number of women since January for cervical cancer.
However, he indicated there is a need to roll out programmes to also screen for skin and breast cancer.
He also added that there was a good turnout of males screening for prostate cancer.