Breast cancer tops new cases in women, health minister says

Health minister Mohamed Seddik Aït Messaoudane said on Thursday in Algiers that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Algeria.

Algérie 360 reported that the figures were presented at the opening of the annual meeting of the national cancer registry network. The network records 14,712 new breast cancer cases in women each year, more than 42% of all cancers recorded in women.

Among men, prostate cancer now ranks first, with 4,334 new cases a year. Colorectal cancer, which affects the colon and rectum, follows with 4,066 new cases a year.

Mohamed Talhi, the ministry's secretary general, read out the minister's speech, which urged more prevention and action on risk factors.

Since 2015, the network, which collects data on cancer cases, has produced detailed figures by sex, age, location of the disease and wilaya. These data helped shape the national cancer prevention and control strategy for 2025 to 2035.

Measures under way include extending the network of cancer centres, which provide care for patients. Radiotherapy services are also being expanded and equipped with linear accelerators, machines that deliver radiation.

The ministry also plans to buy more equipment and mobilise large financial resources for the National Cancer Fund. It also aims to ensure that anti-cancer medicines are available.

For the coming years, the minister named several priorities, starting with extending registry coverage to the whole country, especially the new wilayas.

He also wants the registries to be digitised faster.

Other goals include better links between information systems, more staff, ongoing training and better working conditions. The minister also said early screening programmes should be strengthened, while research and international co-operation are encouraged.

Vanouil Habimana, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Algeria, said cancer registries are a key pillar of any effective health system.