The Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN),  in a report, reveals an alarming annual rise in new cancer diagnoses.

According to CAN's cancer registrar and patient support officer, Tareeku Tjiriange, nearly 3,500 cases are recorded annually in Namibia.

Cancer has taken many lives, including the late President Hage Geingob and the recent loss of former Minister of Education Katrina Hanse-Himarwa. Many others have also succumbed to the disease.

Cancer, according to the World Health Organisation, is a leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for approximately 10 million deaths in 2020.

In Namibia, the gravity of the situation is reflected in the admission of 4,876 patients for various types of cancer over the past two years. 

"We have a top five of cancers, which are breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, lymphomas, and sarcomas, so within breast cancer, at least 550 are being diagnosed, women and men, a few men are being diagnosed with a form of breast cancer, cervical cancer is within its 300's, and prostate cancer is about 400-450 cases per year of people that are being diagnosed."

As much as cancer cases could be detected anywhere in the regions, Tjiriange mentioned that the number of cancer cases is mostly from mining towns and areas. 

"Most of our cases are from the regions that have mines, now we are looking at whether exposure to radiation over a long period of time may lead to that.  The precautionary measures are the ones that are taken when you are establishing all this, green hydrogens, and all that. You look at the impact it may have on the community over a period of time, you won't feel the impact now, but come when I am 60, and the exposure that I got at 25 may then come and catch up with me."

The Cancer Association of Namibia is urging Namibians to undergo early screenings, as most of these cancers are treatable when detected and addressed promptly.