Breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: The current state and uncertain future

2021 ◽  
pp. 153537022110060
Author(s):  
Claudia A Anyigba ◽  
Gordon A Awandare ◽  
Lily Paemka

Breast cancer is the commonest cause of global cancer-related deaths in women and a public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the disease incidence in SSA seems lower, mortality rates are disproportionately high in comparison to high-income countries. The global disease burden is growing, with SSA reporting the majority of cases; however, the dearth of information results in insufficient data which is barely representative of the actual disease burden in this population. Future incidence predictions assign the subregion with a majority of the cases and associated deaths. Breast cancer presents with racial and ethnic variations, and available evidence suggests geographical diversity and persistent risk factors that have barely been explored in SSA. Breast cancer is a complex genetic disease, but the genetic risk factors in the extant African population, which is the most genetically diverse population, is scant and of low quality. This review focuses on the burden, prevalence, detection, treatment, survival, biology, as well as risk factors, and reinforces the need for breast cancer-associated risk factor investigation and population-specific studies in SSA.

Author(s):  
Mariana Brandão ◽  
Assucena Guisseve ◽  
Albertino Damasceno ◽  
Genoveva Bata ◽  
Carla Silva-Matos ◽  
...  

ISRN Oncology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Galukande ◽  
H. Wabinga ◽  
F. Mirembe ◽  
C. Karamagi ◽  
A. Asea

Introduction. Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women globally. In Uganda, it is on the rise, projected at a 4.5% annual ASR increase (age standardized incidence rate). The reasons for this steep increase are not fully established. In the recent past, gene profiling in tumor tissues suggests that breast cancers are divided into subtypes dependent on the presence or absence of oestrogen receptor, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2). These subtypes do have distinctive clinical outcomes and perhaps risk factors from past studies. There is paucity of data on hormonal receptor status and the traditionally known risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study therefore was to establish the differences between ER status and the traditionally known risk factors for breast cancer in Uganda. Methods. An observational analytical hospital, based study, carried out at Makerere University, College of Health Sciences. Formalin fixed and paraffin imbedded sections were prepared for haemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Ethical approval was obtained. Results. A total of 113 women were recruited. Mean age was 45 years (SD14). There were no significant differences in selected risk factors (setting, age, contraceptive use, parity, breast feeding, or menarche) by ER status although ER negative tumors had significantly higher grade tumors (by a factor of two) compared to ER positive tumors. Conclusion. There were no significant differences among risk factors by ER status contrary to what several other studies suggest. The manifestation of breast cancer in Africa warrants further extensive inquiry.


Author(s):  
Blaise Nguendo Yongsi

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, communicable diseases have long been among the most prominent contributors to disease burden. However, like most low-income and middle-income countries across the globe, countries in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing a shift from disease-burden profiles dominated by communicable diseases and childhood illnesses to profiles featuring an increasing predominance of chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objective : The main objective of this study is to investigate the magnitude of non-communicable chronic diseases at the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaoundé. Design and participants: This is an institution-based and cross-sectional study conducted from january to december 2018. Participants were in and out patients who visited the institution and whose a medical condition was clearly diagnosed. Results : Of the 643 medical records, leading causes of visit were infectious diseases (51.1%), followed by NCDs (48.9%). Diagnosed NCDs range from sickle cell disease (5.7%), injuries (9.8%), cardiovascular diseases (12.0%), to cancers (25.0%). Conclusion There is a significant burden of NCDs among adolescents in Yaoundé. Then, interventions for primordial prevention (ie, actions to inhibit the emergence of NCD risk factors) and primary prevention (ie, actions on existing NCD risk factors), as well as educational programmes on leading modifiable behavioural risk factors and metabolic risk factors are crucial.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafte Kahsay Kebede ◽  
Lillian Mwanri ◽  
Paul Ward ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew

Abstract Background It is known that ‘drop out’ from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, the so called lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) occurs to persons enrolled in HIV care services. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the risk factors for the LTFU are not well understood. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for LTFU among adults living with HIV in SSA. A systematic search of literature using identified keywords and index terms was conducted across five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included quantitative studies published in English from 2002 to 2019. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for methodological validity assessment and data extraction. Mantel Haenszel method using Revman-5 software was used for meta-analysis. We demonstrated the meta-analytic measure of association using pooled odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and heterogeneity using I2 tests. Results Thirty studies met the search criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Predictors of LTFU were: demographic factors including being: (i) a male (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 59%), (ii) between 15 and 35 years old (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 0%), (iii) unmarried (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.2–1.3, I2 = 21%), (iv) a rural dweller (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.5–2.7, I2 = 40%), (v) unemployed (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.4, I2 = 58%); (vi) diagnosed with behavioral factors including illegal drug use(OR = 13.5, 95% CI 7.2–25.5, I2 = 60%), alcohol drinking (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.9–4.4, I2 = 39%), and tobacco smoking (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.3, I2 = 74%); and clinical diagnosis of mental illness (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 2.2–5.2, I2 = 1%), bed ridden or ambulatory functional status (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.1, I2 = 74%), low CD4 count in the last visit (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.9, I2 = 75%), tuberculosis co-infection (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.02–1.4, I2 = 66%) and a history of opportunistic infections (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.7–2.8, I2 = 75%). Conclusions The current review identifies demographic, behavioral and clinical factors to be determinants of LTFU. We recommend strengthening of HIV care services in SSA targeting the aforementioned group of patients. Trial registration Protocol: the PROSPERO Registration Number is CRD42018114418


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e039456
Author(s):  
Leolin Katsidzira ◽  
Wisdom F Mudombi ◽  
Rudo Makunike-Mutasa ◽  
Bahtiyar Yilmaz ◽  
Annika Blank ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in sub-Saharan Africa is poorly documented. We have started a registry to determine the burden, phenotype, risk factors, disease course and outcomes of IBD in Zimbabwe.Methods and analysisA prospective observational registry with a nested case–control study has been established at a tertiary hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. The registry is recruiting confirmed IBD cases from the hospital, and other facilities throughout Zimbabwe. Demographic and clinical data are obtained at baseline, 6 months and annually. Two age and sex-matched non-IBD controls per case are recruited—a sibling or second-degree relative, and a randomly selected individual from the same neighbourhood. Cases and controls are interviewed for potential risk factors of IBD, and dietary intake using a food frequency questionnaire. Stool is collected for 16S rRNA-based microbiota profiling, and along with germline DNA from peripheral blood, is being biobanked. The estimated sample size is 86 cases and 172 controls, and the overall registry is anticipated to run for at least 5 years. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the demographic and phenotypic characteristics of IBD, and incidence and prevalence will be estimated for Harare. Risk factors for IBD will be analysed using conditional logistic regression. For microbial analysis, alpha diversity and beta diversity will be compared between cases and controls, and between IBD phenotypes. Mann-Whitney U tests for alpha diversity and Adonis (Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance) for beta diversity will be computed.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Parirenyatwa Hospital’s and University of Zimbabwe’s research ethics committee and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe. Findings will be discussed with patients, and the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health. Results will be presented at scientific meetings, published in peer reviewed journals, and on social media.Trial registration numberNCT04178408.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. McLachlan ◽  
G. Marion ◽  
I. J. McKendrick ◽  
T. Porphyre ◽  
I. G. Handel ◽  
...  

AbstractFoot and mouth disease (FMD) burden disproportionally affects Africa where it is considered endemic. Smallholder livestock keepers experience significant losses due to disease, but the dynamics and mechanisms underlying persistence at the herd-level and beyond remain poorly understood. We address this knowledge gap using stochastic, compartmental modelling to explore FMD virus (FMDV) persistence, outbreak dynamics and disease burden in individual cattle herds within an endemic setting. Our analysis suggests repeated introduction of virus from outside the herd is required for long-term viral persistence, irrespective of carrier presence. Risk of new disease exposures resulting in significant secondary outbreaks is reduced by the presence of immune individuals giving rise to a period of reduced risk, the predicted duration of which suggests that multiple strains of FMDV are responsible for observed yearly herd-level outbreaks. Our analysis suggests management of population turnover could potentially reduce disease burden and deliberate infection of cattle, practiced by local livestock keepers in parts of Africa, has little effect on the duration of the reduced risk period but increases disease burden. This work suggests that FMD control should be implemented beyond individual herds but, in the interim, herd management may be used to reduced FMD impact to livestock keepers.


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